The Victorian State Government has announced a $403 million package for Victorian rail infrastructure and train upgrades.

 

Victorian Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder announced the funding package will focus on providing additional trains, services, improved maintenance and upgrading level crossings.

 

The Budget has also announced funding for a new Avalon Airport rail line after announcing a $3 million injection for the preliminary design and planning of the project in the state’s 2011-12 State Budget.

 

The rail link will allow passengers from Melbourne, Geelong and region areas to travel directly to Avalon Airport by connecting the service between Lara and Avalon. The construction of the rail link comes as considerations are being made over establishing Avalon as a secondary international airport.

 

Mr Mulder has said Avalon Airport plays an important role in Victoria's future and with the right transport infrastructure – including a heavy rail link – it could be a competitive, viable and attractive alternative to Melbourne Airport.

 

When complete the Avalon rail link will include:

  • rail connections leaving the Melbourne to Geelong rail line between Little River and Lara railway stations to allow trains from both Geelong and Southern Cross to travel to and from Avalon on a new single track rail line;
  • cuttings for the link to pass under Old Melbourne Road, Geelong Road (Princes Highway West) and Beach Road;
  • a new railway station at Avalon; and
  • dual gauge concrete sleepers with provision for the future installation of a third rail to enable standard gauge freight trains to access Avalon.

 

Other rail initiatives announced in the State’s budget include:

  • $3 million over two years to plan for the Avalon Airport rail link;
  • $2 million over two years to plan for the return of rail between Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo;
  • $47 million to fix country level crossings, including upgrading the Warragul station precinct;
  • $4.7 million to re-open Talbot Station and plan and develop a new station at Grovedale, the upgrading of Ballan Railway Station, and extending Bendigo trains to Epsom and Eaglehawk with a new station and boom gates at Epsom;
  • $10 million for a rail passing loop on the Marshall to Warrnambool line; and
  • $1.6 million over four years to run more Ballarat trains to Wendouree.