VLocity trains to travel to Warrnambool VIC with $114m line upgrade

The Victorian Government is pushing through with the $114 million Warrnambool Line Upgrade project as part of the Regional Rail Revival. With this project, VLocity trains will be able to travel to Warrnambool for the first time.

“We fought for these upgrades, and now we’re getting on with them to run more trains more often,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.

The project will be building a new crossing loop, improve signalling as well as upgrade level crossing along the Warrnambool Line. Once completed, these upgrades will improve safety, boost reliability and cut travel times between Warrnambool and Melbourne by up to 20 minutes.

The upgrades will also allow a fifth daily return service to Warrnambool, which was a key component of the Regional Network Development Plan that was released in 2016.

Works to upgrade 20 level crossings along the Warrnambool Line with lights, bells and boom gates are already underway, thanks to a $10 million package which was announced in February 2017. These works are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Additional level crossing will be upgraded as part of the Regional Rail Revival works package together with new stabling and signalling, allowing VLocity trains to finally run on the line.

Warrnambool Station will also be upgraded to feature 100 new car spaces as well as a brand new sheltered bus interchange which will make it easier for commuters to get to the station.

This upgrade project is part of a once-in-a-generation $1.57 billion works package that will be creating over 1,000 jobs as well as see every major passenger line in regional Victoria upgraded.

“With this massive upgrade, Labor is delivering more jobs, better trains, and more services to Warrnambool,” the Premier said.

Source: Premier of Victoria