Construction is ramping up in Cobblebank as works get underway to build a new train stabling yard, ready for nine-car VLocity trains to travel on the Melton Line next year – one year ahead of schedule.
The stabling yard is being delivered as part of the Melton Line Upgrade, which will boost passenger capacity by 50% on peak services by enabling longer trains to run on the line.
Located east of Melton Station, the new stabling yard will have a direct connection to the Melton Line, enabling trains to be at Melton Station for first service each day.
The project is being delivered in stages, starting with ground preparation and installation of essential services, followed by construction of the tracks and facilities required to safely store trains.
The stabling yard will also be future proofed to house metropolitan trains when the Melton Line is electrified.
Throughout winter, crews will set up site sheds, prepare the ground for major works, install entry gates and driveways along Abey Road, and complete sewerage and utility connections.
Once the site is ready, crews will build operational buildings such as staff amenities, cleaners’ facilities, equipment rooms and storage areas. Prefabricated staff and cleaners’ buildings will be delivered to site and lifted into place to speed up construction.
Once services and buildings are in place, crews will begin installing the track infrastructure, laying rock ballast, sleepers, and rail tracks. About 6000 tonnes of crushed rock will be used to form the track foundations.
When completed, the stabling yard will be powered by a 46kW solar system made up of 110 solar panels, and landscaped with 300 native trees and approximately 20,000 native shrubs and grasses.
The Melton Line Upgrade is jointly funded by the Victorian and Australian governments, and also includes platform extensions at Cobblebank, Rockbank, Caroline Springs and Deer Park stations to accommodate the longer nine-car trains.
The project is being delivered alongside other major transport infrastructure upgrades already underway along the line, including removing 3 dangerous and congested level crossings at Coburns, Exford, and Ferris roads in Melton, and building a new, bigger Melton Station, opening to passengers later this year.
The modern new Melton Station will have 4 platforms, including 2 extended platforms, to accommodate Ballarat and Melton services, and nine-car VLocity services to and from Melton from 2027.
The new Hopkins Road bridge in Truganina opened in May, delivering safer and faster journeys over the rail line for thousands of drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
The new Ferris Road bridge in Melton will open to traffic on Wednesday, 15 July.
