The Federal Government has awarded the final six contracts for the multi-billion Regional Rail Link, with the final work package awarded to the Leighton-Downer Joint venture. The $43 million contract will be to design and construct the West Werribee Junction work package.

 

To date, the Federal Government has committed $3.2 billion to the Regional Rail Link through the Nation Building Program, with the Victorian Government providing the balance of funding.

 

The rail link will ensure that Victoria's three largest regional cities, Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat, will have their own dedicated tracks through the metropolitan system, improving the capacity and on time performance for metro and regional services.

 

The Regional Rail Link is expected to be fully operational by early 2016, and will allow for extra train services to move up to 9000 extra passengers across the network during peak hours.

 

The project will see the first new railway line being constructed in Melbourne for 80 years.