The Victorian Government has awarded the contract for the Mernda Rail extension, including the construction of an extra station on the new rail line to Mernda in Melbourne’s north-east.
John Holland was awarded the contract to build the nearly $600 million Mernda Rail Extension, which will include a new station near Hawkstowe Parade in South Morang.
The new Hawkstowe station is in addition to the two new stations already announced in Mernda and near Marymede Catholic College. The three stations are expected to be used by more than 8,000 passengers a day.
The project also includes new walking and cycling paths, better bus connections, and train stabling in Mernda. There will also be extensive bike storage and up to 2,000 new car spaces across the three new stations.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, said, “The Mernda Rail Extension will change people’s lives for the better – creating work for thousands of people, and connecting one of Australia’s fastest growing communities to employment, education and the rest of Victoria.”
Mernda Rail Extension will create up to 3,000 jobs – 1,200 directly during construction and as many as 1,800 indirectly in suppliers and other businesses supported by the project.
It will support more than 70 ongoing jobs once trains are running.
Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green, said, “This project will create thousands of jobs and connect thousands of locals in Mernda, Doreen and Whittlesea to work, education and each other.
Construction of the Mernda Rail Extension will begin in 2017, and trains will be running on the new line by 2019.
