Upgrades to Albury Station stabling are set to help the station adapt to new VLocity trains on Victoria’s North East Line.
The works are being delivered under the $10 million North East Rail Line Supporting Infrastructure Project.
The funding is provided by the Australian and Victorian governments, with funding split on a 90:10 basis.
Construction company Downer has been appointed to deliver infrastructure upgrades at the border town station to support the new VLocity trains.
Works at Albury Station stabling will include upgrading signalling, communications and train control systems, extending stabling tracks to house VLocity trains, improved cleaning facilities as well as new lighting, fencing, gates, CCTV and pathways.
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, said the upgrade would enable Albury Station to accommodate more comfortable VLocity trains.
“These works at Albury Station will help enable VLocity trains to run on the North East Line and create more accessible and reliable journeys for passengers,” Ms Allan said.
The Victorian Government is also delivering supporting infrastructure upgrades to optimise the North East Line for VLocity trains, including level crossing upgrades and modifications to stabling and maintenance facilities at South Dynon.
The first of the new Victorian Government-funded VLocity trains began testing on the North East Line in September and will begin taking passengers in late 2021.
Federal Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley, said the Albury stabling upgrade would also provide a much-needed jobs and economic boost for the region.
“These works will support around 25 jobs during construction, which is fantastic news for locals and the region’s construction sector,” Ms Ley said.
“The Australian Government is proud to be investing $9 million to get this package of works delivered for our region.”
Wodonga-based Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, said this project builds on track upgrades delivered by ARTC as part of the North East Line Upgrade, which have improved comfort for passenger services and made services more reliable.
“Thanks to the fully federally-funded $235 million North East Line Upgrade track upgrades, passengers are already enjoying smoother rides with fewer delays on the North East Line,” Senator McKenzie said.
“This project at Albury Station, as well as ARTC’s remaining signal commissioning works for crossovers at Longwood and Violet Town, will ensure we can realise the full benefits of that major upgrade, by supporting an optimal service schedule and effective running of the VLocity trains.”
The project is targeted for completion in early 2022.
With limited works done for new fast train. What hope is there for regional towns with a liberal entrenched areas that don’t step up to development of inland cities