Work to enable VLocity trains to travel to Victoria’s south-west for the first time will soon be underway.
Major construction on Stage 2 of the Warrnambool Line Upgrade will commence by the end of the year, with the project targeted for completion in late 2023.
The project will upgrade more than 50 public level crossings on the Warrnambool Line with improved train technology to detect when VLocity trains are approaching and add boom gates to 17 of these crossings to boost safety for motorists and train passengers.
Once complete, there will be no unprotected public level crossings on the line.
Passengers and communities along the line have already benefited from the addition of boom gates, bells and flashing lights at 12 level crossings, completed last year as part of Stage 1 of the Warrnambool Line Upgrade.
The stabling facility at Warrnambool Station will also be upgraded to house the longer VLocity trains, allowing them to start and finish their journey at Warrnambool.
Modern VLocity trains will deliver more comfortable and accessible journeys for passengers.
Work on Stage 1 of the project is continuing, with signalling upgrades between Waurn Ponds and Warncoort on track to be completed in the coming months.
More than 24km of signalling cable has already been installed, along with 8km of access tracks along the line.
Due to delays in complex signalling design caused by Coronavirus restrictions, including remote working arrangements and delays in the availability of specialist resources, work to commission the upgrades being delivered as part of Stage 1 will take place mid-to-late next year.
The new crossing loop at Boorcan and a fifth weekday return service between Warrnambool and Melbourne will come into operation following the completion of signalling and commissioning works along the line.
Find out more about the Warrnambool Line Upgrade.