Passengers will soon benefit from more frequent and reliable train services with the completion of major works on the Waurn Ponds Station upgrade.
Commissioning and critical safety testing is now taking place to enable additional services to run on the Warrnambool Rail Line.
The Waurn Ponds Station upgrade includes a transformed main entrance to give better access to the station, more than 200 new car parking spaces, better security and improved passenger information for both commuters and visitors.
The upgrade also includes the construction of a second platform on the south side of the station – with an accessible pedestrian overpass connecting it to the existing platform.
The Waurn Ponds Station upgrade, the first part of the Waurn Ponds to South Geelong duplication project, will deliver more frequently and reliable train services to Waurn Ponds and Armstrong Creek growth corridor.
The rail duplication was a G21 priority before gaining a $700 million bi-partisan funding commitment at the 2019 federal election.
The duplication is an essential prerequisite to more frequent, and more-timely, services between Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool.
Stage 2 works are ongoing. A live signalling box from the rail corridor will be relocated to allow the final 50-metre section of rail to be installed. More than 2,000 sleepers and 2.9 kilometres of new rail has already been laid.
Major earthworks have also continued at the site for the new train stabling and maintenance facility near Waurn Ponds, which will allow track installation works to take place this year.
Crews have since installed drainage and commenced work on the new track to link the main line to the stabling facility – which will support the extension of services on the line to Waurn Ponds.
