The South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication project will deliver more frequent and reliable services and better stations for passengers on Victoria’s busiest regional rail line.

We are removing the congested and dangerous level crossing at Fyans Street and replacing it with a new elevated rail bridge which will improve traffic flow and boost safety for road users.

As with any project of this scale, temporary construction impacts and disruptions will occur. We aim to minimise impacts to passengers, residents and businesses wherever possible and will notify well in advance of works occurring.

We will undertake a staged approach to constructing the project, so that we can carry out works safely and minimise disruption as much as possible.

Building the Fyans Street rail bridge

1. Relocation of services- First we will relocate underground and overhead services such as gas, water and electricity on both sides of the rail line. Some vegetation removal will also be required.
2. Strengthening the ground-16 concrete piles will be installed in the ground to support the concrete piers. A piling rig will bore holes in the ground. A steel cage is then lowered into the holes and filled with concrete.
3. Installing concrete piers- Once piling works are complete, eight pre-cast concrete piers will be installed, with four crossheads to support the rail bridge.
4. Installing concrete beams and steel girder- The piers will be connected by concrete beams and a 48 metre-long steel girder will be installed across the new Fyans Street road layout. The bridge has been designed to avoid piers between lanes, to improve driver safety.
5. Laying the rail track- Ballast and sleepers will be installed on the new bridge, and rail laid on top. The top ballast is added before tamping and regulating of the new rail and ballast is completed.
6. Creating the finishing touches- Landscaping, creative treatments and the installation of public artworks and recreation equipment under and around the bridge will take place once the rail track has been laid.
7. Commissioning- Commissioning of the new duplicated track is required to integrate the new infrastructure into the operating rail network to enable additional services to run on the line.
8. Fyans St level crossing removed and the elevated rail bridge completed late 2024

Upgrading the Geelong Line

The Victorian and Australian governments are investing more than a billion dollars in projects to deliver better and more frequent services for communities between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds. This includes the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication, Waurn Ponds stabling and the recently complete Waurn Ponds Station upgrade.

The South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication project will enable more frequent and reliable services and better stations for passengers on Victoria’s busiest regional
rail line.

The project is part of the Regional Rail Revival program which is upgrading every regional passenger line in Victoria and creating 3,000 jobs. Regional Rail Revival is delivering the project on behalf of the Australian and Victorian governments.

Both governments have also invested in Geelong Fast Rail, to deliver faster services between Geelong and Melbourne.

Project timeline

2022 - Contract award, consultation and construction underway

• Engagement with the community continues.
• Early works underway with major construction to begin in late 2022.

2024 - Construction complete

• Major construction targeted for completion in late 2024.