The Djilang Alliance (a joint venture between Downer, McConnell Dowell, Arup and WSP) has been awarded a contract by Rail Projects Victoria to deliver the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication project, as part of the Regional Rail Revival program.
Under the contract, Djilang Alliance will duplicate approximately eight kilometres of track, build elevated rail bridges to replace level crossings at Fyans Street and the Surf Coast Highway, and undertake signalling upgrades.
The project also includes new station buildings at Marshall and South Geelong with landscaped forecourts, second platforms and accessible pedestrian overpasses.
When the work concludes, five trains will run every hour at peak times and the new elevated rail bridges will improve travel times and safety, and ease congestion for more than 36,000 motorists who drive through these intersections each day.
Arup and WSP are jointly providing full engineering and design for the track duplication and grade separation infrastructure, including designing the new station buildings and precincts at Marshall and South Geelong and providing integrated landscape architecture and urban design.
The project forms part of the Victorian and Australian governments’ investment of more than $1 billion in rail upgrades between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds and is part of the Regional Rail Revival program, which is upgrading every regional passenger rail line in Victoria.
Ewan Henderson, Djilang Alliance General Manager said “We know how important this project is for the people of Geelong, and our team is very proud to work hand in hand with the local community and Rail Projects Victoria, to provide these important infrastructure upgrades for current and future generations.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Downer Group, Grant Fenn, said Downer had a long and successful history of safely delivering rail infrastructure projects for its customers.
“We look forward to working closely with our joint venture partners and Rail Projects Victoria to deliver this important infrastructure to the growing region of Geelong,” Fenn said.
Downer said the project would generate revenue of approximately $270 million.
Rachel Nicholls, Design Manager, Arup said “There will be quality public realms, enabling pedestrians and cyclists to move safely, along with new trees, permeable surfaces and water sensitive urban design. Together these features will create a sense of place as well as a more sustainable and comfortable experience as people gather or move through the precincts.”
Major construction will commence later this year, with a target completion date of late-2024.
For more information on the project, click here.
Related stories:
- Works progressing on Geelong’s Barwon Heads Road Upgrade
- New-look Waurn Ponds Station days from opening
- $9.4M project to install new signalling system for VIC lines