CITY-bound commuters will soon be crossing a new rail bridge over the Maribyrnong River.
At the weekend, a consortium of builders was given the nod by the federal and state governments for the $570 million contract, putting the second-last piece of the Regional Rail Link jigsaw into place.
The deal covers track works between the Maribyrnong River and Southern Cross station and includes a one-kilometre rail overpass to help whisk regional trains over the river, into the city.
The consortium of John Holland, Abigroup, Coleman Rail and AECOM & GHD will also deliver almost five kilometres of new tracks, a rail-over-rail flyover between the Maribyrnong River and Hopkins Street, Footscray, and major bridge modifications at Dynon Road, Moonee Ponds Creek, Lloyd Street and Dudley Street.
Gellibrand MP Nicola Roxon says the project, funded under the Nation Building Program, will boost the frequency and reliability of Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat train services.
“Today’s announcement will deliver more jobs to the local construction industry and, once complete, the Regional Rail Link will attract employers, workers and visitors into the vibrant Footscray Activities District,” Ms Roxon said. The RRL project has been criticised by residents for forcing property acquisitions and the removal of Footscray’s Rising Sun footbridge. Noise levels are also projected to rise most steeply between Footscray and West Footscray, averaging up to 78 decibels by day and 75 decibels at night.
But state Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said benefits of the project included the generation of 5600 direct and indirect jobs. He said the “untangling” of regional and metropolitan services would also remove major bottlenecks from the public transport system by 2016.
“The project will expand the rail network to increase connections between Victoria’s communities and will link more people to jobs, education, recreation and vital services, providing Melbourne with its first new major rail line in 80 years.”
The works will also include a new twin track rail bridge over Dudley Street in West Melbourne and major upgrades to the existing North Melbourne rail-over-rail flyover to access platforms 1-8 at Southern Cross station. The final contract for the work covering West Werribee Junction is due to be awarded by mid-year.
