The Premier of Victoria

Premier John Brumby today launched the start of works on a $52 million project to remove a major bottleneck on Melbourne’s inner-suburban rail network by building a second railway track between Clifton Hill and Westgarth stations.

At Clifton Hill, Mr Brumby said the start of stage one works on the Clifton Hill Rail Project marked an important milestone in the Victorian Government’s plan to deliver more than $2 billion in improvements for Melbourne’s rail network over the next 10 years.

“As works get underway people will see real and measurable signs of this Government’s commitment to delivering the biggest single transport investment program in Victoria’s history,” Mr Brumby said.

“Currently all Hurstbridge line trains and some Epping line trains are forced to merge onto a single track at the Clifton Hill junction causing a bottleneck. About 35,000 people use the Epping and Hurstbridge lines each weekday and anyone who has sat on a train near Westgarth station waiting for the tracks to clear knows the frustration this bottleneck can cause.

“By duplicating the track between Clifton Hill and Westgarth stations that bottleneck will be removed and commuters will see big improvements in the on-time reliability and efficiency of trains.

“It will also allow for up to six extra morning peak train services and lay the foundation for an extension of the Epping line to a Melbourne growth area - South Morang.”

The Clifton Hill Rail Project is a key part of the Brumby Government’s 10-year, $10.5 billion transport blueprint, Meeting Our Transport Challenges which is delivering major improvements to ensure Victoria keeps pace with the state’s growing and changing transport needs.

The project involves duplicating 750 metres of existing single track between Clifton Hill and Westgarth railway stations, including a new bridge over the Merri Creek to duplicate the existing railway bridge.

Minister for Public Transport, Lynne Kosky, said the first stage of works at Clifton Hill involved removing signalling and cables needed to pave the way for the new track. She said the commencement of works followed extensive community consultation.

“The Brumby Government worked closely with councils, as well as residents and community groups to ensure that local issues were addressed in the planning stages of this vital project,” Ms Kosky said.

“Both Yarra and Darebin city councils have given their tick of approval on the planning scheme, demonstrating their commitment to see these transport improvements happen.”

The Government will shortly award the tender for the construction of the second track and bridge.
The project is scheduled to be completed in 2010.

The Clifton Hill rail project will include:

• Construction of a new rail bridge that is specifically designed to complement and honour its urban, environmental and heritage context;
• Substantial landscaping and revegetation with appropriate native vegetation to deliver improvements to the existing Merri Creek environment;
• Improved pedestrian and bike access in the area, including between the Merri Creek and Clifton Hill stations; and
• Improved pedestrian level crossings with four pedestrian level crossings to be upgraded to “active” crossings, complete with automatic gates with audible warnings.

For more information about the Clifton Hill Rail Corridor project visit www.transport.vic.gov.au.