Lendlease, Coleman Rail and SMEC have completed construction at Cobblebank Station, set to open on Monday 2 December.
The contractors were chosen in 2018 to undertake the $551.7 million dollar upgrade of the Ballarat Line, including Cobblebank and three other stations.
Cobbelbank Station is now complete and the Ballarat Line Upgrade has entered its final stages of construction.
The station opening will bring a new timetable with two extra peak services each day and new bus services for Melbourne’s outer west.
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said the new station was one of the key components of the half-a-billion-dollar project.
“We know communities in Melbourne’s outer west are growing at a rapid rate and the Ballarat Line Upgrade will provide more frequent and reliable services for passengers,” Senator Henderson said.
“The finish line for major construction on the Ballarat Line Upgrade is in sight, which means we’re one step closer to delivering huge benefits for passengers.”
The two extra peak services, one in the morning and one afternoon, will start on Monday 2 December for Melton, Rockbank, Caroline Springs and Deer Park passengers as trains begin using the newly constructed 18 kilometres of duplicated track between Deer Park West an Melton.
New busses will start running on the same day to and from Cobblebank Station and between the newly re-built Rockbank station with service ever 40 minutes.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the benefits of the Ballarat Line Upgrade would be delivered in stages.
The first stage will be the new station and new services for passengers in Melbourne’s west, this will be followed by more services for the rest of the line in 2020.
There’s still more work to be done before the end of the year but it’s really exciting to know this investment is coming to fruition and the benefits are being realised,” Mr. McCormack said.
The new Cobblebank Station will be serviced by 285 trains each week and is a modern, accessible station featuring lifts, ramps, lighting and CCTV, as well as a car park with drop-off zone and secure bike storage.
Following major construction completion on the Ballarat Line Upgrade, a commissioning and safety testing period will continue early next year to enable more services for the line.
The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government has committed $502 million and the Victorian Government $55 million to the upgrade of the Ballarat Rail line as part of the jointly-funded $1.75 billion Regional Rail Revival program.
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