• Over $1 billion for rail upgrades between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds
• Creating 1,300+ jobs
• 5 train services per hour during the peaks, and 3 per hour between the peaks

New Surf Coast Highway rail bridge

We’re removing the congested level crossing at Surf Coast Highway to deliver more frequent and reliable trains on the Geelong Line and improve safety and traffic flow.

We are moving the rail line away from local residents south of the current rail alignment at Surf Coast Highway. This will minimise disruption during construction, create new green open space and new shared user path connections between homes and the rail line.

Motorists will, no longer need to wait when the boom gates are down for up to 22 per cent of the morning peak and 15 per cent of the evening peak.

This will provide travel time savings for around 29,000 vehicles using Surf Coast Highway each day. It will also improve safety and reliability for trains crossing this intersection daily and allow for more services to be introduced in the future.

The new rail alignment and elevated bridge design will allow for integration with the future Bellarine Link Ring Road extension.

South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication

The South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication includes upgraded stations at Marshall and South Geelong, new rail bridges at Fyans Street and Surf Coast Highway and duplicated track and signalling.

Once completed, passengers will benefit from five train services per hour during the peaks and three per hour between the peaks for Marshall and Waurn Ponds stations, new public open space and a continuous shared user path between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds stations with over 5km of new connections.

Help select the colour palette for the new bridge

The design of the new rail bridge piers will celebrate the local area.

High quality public art and creative design outcomes, delivered as part of the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication, will enhance people’s experience of journey and place and leave a positive legacy for communities across Geelong.

The new rail bridge will incorporate the colours of the landscape around Geelong and pay homage to the areas distinctive landmarks.

The selected colour palette will be used in the architectural treatments of the bridge and inspire the landscaping and vegetation plan for the new public open space around the bridge and shared user path.

We would like community feedback on the proposed colour palette to ensure it complements the local area.

The first palette option is inspired by coastal regions beyond Geelong, including those along the Great Ocean Road, in recognition of the fact that Surf Coast Highway is an important gateway to these idyllic coastal areas, and the ocean inspired colour palette pays homage to this.

The second colour palette is inspired by native Saltbush which can be commonly found in the area. This colour palette connects the new rail bridge to the native flora of the area.

The third colour palette is inspired by the You Yangs, which form part of the Great Dividing Range. These red earthy tones are an abstract interpretation of the geology and landforms that form the You Yangs.

Local artists will be invited to express interest in developing artworks to be integrated into the designs of the different elements of the project.

Landscaping and revegetation

Two trees will be planted for every one removed during construction of the project.

Native trees and plants will make up a large number of these trees to enhance the local area and improve biodiversity along the rail corridor.

We are currently engaging with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and City of Greater Geelong on the plant and tree species they would like to see planted across the project area.

Local stakeholders and the community will be given the opportunity to provide feedback and input into the landscaping plans for the area.

New open space and shared user path connections

As part of the project, we will create over 5km of new shared walking and cycling paths, creating a continuous connection between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds stations for the first time.

The new shared user path connections will create an active travel corridor into the Geelong CBD, facilitating safe-walking and cycling connections for
the growing communities to the South.

The shared user path will travel underneath the new rail bridge at the Surf Coast Highway and safely connect cyclists and pedestrians to the west of Baanip Boulevard, where traffic lights will provide safe passage across the road.

There will also be a new local path along the old rail line, to connect Bickford Road to the existing footpath on the eastern side of Surf Coast Highway.

What’s happening now

The Djilang Alliance, comprising McConnell Dowell, Downer, Arup and WSP will deliver the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication.

Early works have begun, including the relocation and upgrade of a number of Barwon Water pipelines, which will allow key sections of the track to be duplicated between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds.

We have been working closely with City of Greater Geelong and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation on the urban design, new public open space and creative opportunities across the project.

Feedback from the community will inform the final design and creative and urban design opportunities.

We will continue to engage the community to ensure the project reflects and enhances the character of the area and leaves a positive legacy.

Major construction is scheduled to commence later this year and is targeted for completion in 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 program 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.