The Victorian Government has awarded the contract for the next stage of the Hurstbridge Train Line Project between Melbourne and Hurstbridge.
An alliance of construction companies Laing O’Rourke and Fulton Hogan, and technical professional services firm Jacobs was selected as the preferred bidder to complete the project.
The package of works include:
- The next step to duplicate the Hurstbridge line
- Building a new Rosanna station
- Remove the dangerous and congested level crossings at Lower Plenty and Grange Roads
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said, “We’re not wasting a day – moving ahead with a preferred bidder paves the way for construction to commence next year, so we can give people better train services and safer roads sooner.”
Lower Plenty Road in Rosanna and Grange Road in Alphington are two of Melbourne’s most congested level crossings with boom gates down for more than a third of the morning peak, clogging roads in Melbourne’s north eastern suburbs.
“The level crossings at Rosanna and Alphington are among the worst in Melbourne, clogging up roads in the north eastern suburbs – that’s why we’re getting rid of them,” Ms Allan said.
Building a second track in the 1.2km single track section from Rosanna to Heidelberg will allow for more services, reducing crowding, and improving the reliability of the entire Hurstbridge rail line.
Member for Eltham Vicki Ward said, “This is an exciting project, benefiting every passenger on the Hurstbridge line, helping to improve reliability and enabling us to increase train services.
“We’ve been waiting a very long time for a train line that reflects the needs of our community. It’s fantastic that it is finally happening.”
Packaging these critical works together will reduce disruption to local residents, businesses and passengers.
The preferred bidder will now be able to work with the Level Crossing Removal Authority to continue community consultation, and utilise their expertise to further develop the design options at these sites.
Member for Ivanhoe Anthony Carbines said, “Feedback from local residents and businesses will be vital to help inform engineering experts on the best design options that will work best for our local community.”
Construction of the Hurstbridge line projects will commence in early 2017 and is expected to be complete by 2019.
