The Victorian Budget 2021/22 has added $595.7 million in funding towards Victoria’s Big Build, to be invested in major road and rail upgrades.
$93.6 million of this funding is for the Melton and Wyndham Vale corridors, to enable higher capacity trains, including nine‑car VLocity trains – increasing capacity by up to 50 per cent during peak periods.
Development work is also underway for a new commuter train as a future replacement for the existing fleet that operates on regional lines.
A further $240.1 million package will allow more trains to run through the Caulfield Junction, where the Frankston Line merges with the Cranbourne/Pakenham Line.
These critical works will separate the two lines, eliminating unnecessary crossover and preparing this section of the network for the opening of the Metro Tunnel – when peak‑hour services will stop at Caulfield every two minutes.
The Caulfield Station Interchange project will see an injection of $2 million for upgrades at Caulfield Station, making it easier for passengers to make their train.
Train maintenance facilities will also be upgraded to meet the needs of the growing network, including the The South Dynon train maintenance facility, unlocking additional capacity.
“Our work to build a better transport system continues by backing the projects we need – and the people we need to deliver them,” Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, said.
$145.2 million of road upgrades across Victoria is aiming to ease congestion in Melbourne’s north, delivering a better commute for drivers in Mickleham and Craigieburn.
Calder Freeway between Gap Road in Sunbury and the M80 Ring Road will also be under construction, with a $100 million partnership with the Commonwealth to find a better solution for the dangerous interchange at Calder Park Drive.
In Western Melbourne, detailed design and planning work will pave the way for the Ison Road rail overpass, whilst the Princes Freeway‑Werribee Main Road interchange has been funded for an upgrade.
Funding also supports important planning and development work for the upgrade of Mickleham Road, Craigieburn East Road and Somerton Road in Melbourne’s north, York Road in Melbourne’s east and the Bellarine Link in the state’s south‑west.
The State Government will deliver a funding boost to the Fishermans Bend precinct with $15 million assigned to planning longer term transport links and $179.4 million to transform the former General Motors Holden site into an innovation hub.
Victorian Budget 2021/22 builds on the $80 billion transport infrastructure investment over the past six years, including the Metro Tunnel, North East Link and removing dangerous and congested level crossings – creating 50,000 Victorian jobs.
“It’s about using every dollar of investment to improve the lives of Victorians – whether that’s spending less time in traffic, or the security of a good job working on our Big Build,” Ms Allan said.
For more information about the Victoria’s Big Build, click here.
