Trains have returned to the Hurstbridge Line following 2 weeks of around-the-clock works as part of the 3.5km Hurstbridge Line Duplication.
During this time a massive 600 tonne crane lifted the new Plenty River rail bridge into place in 2 sections – one weighing 65 tonnes and one 55 tonnes – to form the 50 metre structure. 46 precast panels were then installed and a concrete slab poured on top to create the new bridge.
Duplicating the rail bridge will allow more trains to run more often by reducing bottlenecks at single-track sections of the line, and decrease crowding on peak services along the busy Hurstbridge Line.
While buses replaced trains over September, crews also worked on the new modern station at Greensborough, with the metal structure for the station now well underway. Around 300 pieces of structural steel were installed adding up to almost 65 tonnes.
This steel was locally fabricated in Dandenong South, supporting local jobs and boosting the economy.
Across Para Road from the new Greensborough Station, a 100-space car park and bus interchange will open to provide more options to park, catch the train and access shops and services.
Across Para Road from the new Greensborough Station, a 100-space car park and bus interchange will open to provide more options to park, catch the train and access shops and services.
Works to build the first platform for the new Montmorency Station have also begun, as well as extending Platform 2 at Diamond Creek Station.
The second stage of the Hurstbridge Line Duplication is delivering improvements that will allow more train services, less crowding on peak trains and better connections to public transport in Melbourne's north-east.
2km of track will be duplicated between Greensborough and Montmorency and 1.5km of track between Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen.
Trains will be running on the new duplicated track and the new stations will open by mid-2023.
The Victorian Government is investing more than $20 billion in Melbourne’s north-east as part of its Big Build to improve the road and rail network. The works include the Hurstbridge Line Duplication, Fitzsimmons Lane Upgrade and removing 15 dangerous and congested level crossings.