Fast-tracked works are powering ahead to deliver huge transport upgrades on the Melton Line, with a contract awarded to deliver works that will boost capacity on the line by 50% from 2027 – a year ahead of schedule.
The contract for the Melton Line Upgrade has been awarded to John Holland, Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR), Metro Trains Melbourne and V/Line, in partnership with the Level Crossing Removal Project, with early works now underway.
The $650m project will include platform extensions at Cobblebank, Rockbank, Caroline Springs and Deer Park, allowing nine-car VLocity trains to run on the line a year ahead of schedule, boosting passenger capacity by 50% on peak services from 2027.
The Australian and Victorian governments have committed $325m each to the Melton Line Upgrade, which also includes a new train stabling yard at Cobblebank, future-proofed for electrification of the line to Melton.
Site establishment works are underway at Deer Park Station, with site set-up expected to begin at Caroline Springs Station in the coming weeks.
Work to get rid of 4 level crossing removals in the west and build the new Melton Station are also powering ahead.
Foundations are fast taking shape for the new rail bridges replacing level crossings at Coburns Road and Exford Road, Melton, and 2 new road bridges being built to get rid of level crossings at Ferris Road, Melton and Hopkins Road, Truganina.
The dangerous and congested level crossings will be gone from the Melton Line in 2026, and the new station open, featuring 4 platforms to accommodate Ballarat services and provide dedicated extended platforms for services that will begin and end at Melton, including the longer VLocity trains.
