Melbourne has announced a rail project worth around $2bn-$2.5bn, as part of its broader plan to cater for growth.
The project seeks to deliver 25 new next generation, high-capacity trains; newly-rebuilt stations at Clayton, Murrumbeena and Carnegie; as well as a new train maintenance depot at Pakenham East.
Under the multi-billion dollar programme, the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines in the region will be remodeled with modern high-capacity signalling in order to provide a 30% capacity boost.
Four level crossing at Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena; Koornang Road, Carnegie; Clayton Road, Clayton; and Centre Road, Clayton will also be removed as part of the project, while offering planning and preconstruction funding to remove a further five level crossings.
The five-year construction phase of the project is expected to create over 3,000 jobs.
Victoria Premier Denis Napthine said: "This investment in next-generation technology will give us high capacity trains that can carry more passengers and high capacity signaling that will allow trains to run more frequently.
"This project is the first under the government’s new unsolicited proposals process, which is designed to harness the innovation of the private sector and hasten the delivery of better infrastructure and services to Victorians at the best possible price."
The Coalition Government is also improving services for V/Line passengers in western Victoria through the $4.8bn Regional Rail Link project that is currently in progress.
