Work to upgrade the Sunbury line to allow for bigger, better trains and improved services will step up again in September, with five days of 24-hour works planned.
Buses will replace trains on the Sunbury line between North Melbourne, Sunshine and Sunbury from 10pm on Friday 3 September to last train on Wednesday 8 September, with trains returning on Thursday 9 September. Coaches will also replace trains on the Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong and Warrnambool lines on 4-5 September.
As part of the Sunbury Line Upgrade, during this time crews will install signalling, communications and power infrastructure along sections of the line, power upgrades at the Tottenham substation and platform improvements at Middle Footscray, West Footscray and Sunshine stations. During the disruption they'll also be working on upgrading overhead line structures at the Metro Tunnel's western entrance in Kensington.
The upgrade, due to be complete in 2023, will create space for 113,000 more passengers in peak periods every week when the Metro Tunnel is operational. The project will also remove the Gap Road level crossing – Sunbury's worst traffic bottleneck - two years ahead of schedule.
Work started on the level crossing removal in early July, with crews relocating underground services to make way for the start of major construction on the new road underpass later this year.
Gap Road/Station Street will be lowered under the existing rail line to preserve the heritage-listed Sunbury Station, to improve safety and ease congestion, especially when more trains run on the Sunbury line in the future. The project will include building new shared paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
At Watergardens Station a major accessibility upgrade has been completed, including extending the concourse and installing three large lifts to improve station access and connection to buses, the library, and the shopping centre.
The Sunbury community will also benefit from investment in the Sunbury Road upgrade, which will add extra lanes on Sunbury Road between Powlett Street and Bulla-Diggers Rest Road, new traffic lights at key intersections, improved walking and cycling connections and a new bridge over Jacksons Creek.
The Car Parks for Commuters Sunbury Station Upgrade is also a step closer, with the construction tender to open soon. The project is being delivered by the Victorian Government and Hume City Council and will add more than 300 new commuter car spaces to the station, featuring accessible parking, improved lighting and secure bike storage.
