Final designs have been released for major train station upgrades at Bunyip, Longwarry, Morwell and Traralgon - giving locals a glimpse of what they will look like once complete.
The designs have been informed by community feedback and come as part of the Australian and Victorian governments' Gippsland Line Upgrade - to improve safety, accessibility and enable more passenger rail services.
The designs include a new accessible pedestrian overpass at Traralgon Station, as well as an upgraded, more accessible underpass at Morwell Station.
Bunyip and Longwarry station designs feature additional platforms, improved car parking and better integration with their respective town centres.
Further works include track duplication at Bunyip and Longwarry, a crossing loop extension at Morwell and second platforms at four stations to provide more opportunities for trains to pass each other.
Drainage improvements between the new and existing tracks at Bunyip and Longwarry stations will also get underway, along with trenching works to make way for level crossing upgrades that will be delivered as part of the project.
Coaches will replace trains between Pakenham and Traralgon from 27 July until 8 August while the level crossing removal works are underway.
Coaches will replace trains on the Gippsland Line for the entire journey from Saturday 25 June to Tuesday 19 July while crews construct the foundations for a new rail bridge in Kilmany as part of Stage 3 of the Princes Highway East Upgrade.
These works are part of the $253 million Princes Highway East Upgrade (Stage 3) and will see a new rail bridge span over the highway, providing a significant improvement to safety and reliability for freight, tourists and commuters while minimising impacts on the rail network.
The Princes Highway East Upgrade will add 43km of new lanes to the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale. This is the third and final stage of the project, which will add an extra 12km of consistent two-lane highway.
Major construction on the Gippsland Line Upgrade is targeted for completion in late 2022. The upgrade is being delivered as part of the Regional Rail Revival program, which is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments.
The program is upgrading every regional passenger rail line in Victoria and creating 3,000 jobs.
As stated by Federal Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Catherine King
"The Gippsland Line Upgrade will enable more services to make it quicker and easier for passengers to travel. We know how important access to reliable and efficient means of transport is to Victorians."
"That's why the Australian Government is investing $447.7 million into this upgrade, creating better transport links in the region for locals and visitors."
As stated by Victorian Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan
"It's great to see works progressing on the Gippsland Line Upgrade and these designs released for the station upgrades at Bunyip, Longwarry, Morwell and Traralgon - which will provide a huge benefit to passengers once complete."
"This upgrade will enable more frequent and reliable services to run on the line, with improved safety and accessibility."
As stated by Victorian Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
"These upgrades will make it easier and more accessible for Gippsland passengers to use public transport - a new accessible overpass at Traralgon Station and a more accessible underpass in Morwell will make a really positive difference - as well as improved amenity and accessibility at Bunyip and Longwarry stations."
