The Victorian Government has announced that it will invest $27.4 billion on a massive Suburban Transport Blitz - a program of works that will improve suburban road and rail networks - through the State Budget 2019/2020.
Over the last four years, the State Government has invested approximately $46.7 billion to improve Victoria’s transport network.
The multi-billion dollar budget will help reshape Victorian suburbs as well as change the way Victorians get around the region.
This significant investment include $15.8 billion to fully fund and jump start construction on the North East Link and $6.6 billion for the removal of another 25 dangerous and congested level crossings - with up to 75 crossings gone by 2025.
A $3.4 billion funding will upgrade the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Hurstbridge lines. Upgrades will include signalling, power and enabling stations along the Sunbury Line to rollout the new High Capacity Metro Trains.
The investment will also fund $750 million to duplicate the Cranbourne Line and add $547 million to deliver the next stage of the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade, which will include duplicating 4.5 kilometres of track and building improves stations at Greensborough and Montmorency.
Approximately $49.6 million will build three new stations at Goornong, Raywood and Huntly as well as more funding to plan the next stage of the Bendigo Line Upgrade.
$608 million from the Budget will fund upgrades to local roads. This will include $22.6 million to fix the busiest and most congested intersections as well as fund planning and pre-construction of intersection upgrades along South Road in Moorabbin and Western Port Highway.
“Our Suburban Transport Blitz is transforming the way we travel around Melbourne - slashing road congestion, boosting train services and getting people home sooner,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
The State Budget 2019/2020 also includes $100 million for the Western Rail Plan - a project that will separate regional and metropolitan services on the Geelong and Ballarat lines; and $300 million for planning, technical investigations as well as development of the Suburban Rail Loop - a 90-kilometre rail ring that will link train lines from Frankston to Werribee.
Smaller projects have also been funded, including $45.4 million for new bike and pedestrian paths across Melbourne. This includes $27.3 million for safety upgrades as well as delivery of dedicated bike lanes on St Kilda Road.
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Source: Premier of Victoria; Inside Construction; SBS News