- Published:
- Wednesday 26 September 2018
The Andrews Labor Government will build a new train stabling yard in Melbourne’s west to free up an existing facility and pave the way for more trains, more often on the regional rail network.
The new facility will be hosted to the north of Wyndham Vale Station and will help replace existing stabling at the E-Gate facility near Footscray – making way for an extension of Wurundjeri Way as part of the West Gate Tunnel Project.
It will help meet interpeak stabling needs for V/Line trains on the regional rail network and boost capacity to house additional trains in the future, while enabling more train services for Wyndham.
The project will involve construction of a stabling yard, driver facilities and a bypass track connected to the Geelong line, which will allow trains to access the facility without delaying passenger services.
The stabling yard will have the capacity to house up to six V/Line ‘VLocity’ trains and has been designed to cater for a further stabling expansion and a maintenance facility if required in the future.
Stabling areas provide secure places for trains to be stored and refuelled, with similar facilities existing elsewhere across the metropolitan and regional rail networks.
The new stabling facility was initially flagged as part of the Regional Rail Link project, which was completed in 2015 and included the construction of new stations at Wyndham Vale and Tarneit.
Extensive consultation has addressed the use and development of the proposed Wyndham Vale stabling site and will continue with council and the community. With relevant State and Commonwealth planning approvals obtained, the project is expected to start later this year and be completed by early 2020.
It will be delivered by the Level Crossing Removal Authority who are well-placed to undertake the works, with its project portfolio including stabling facilities built at Mernda and planned at Kananook.
Visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au for information about the project.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“We’re investing in rail for regional Victoria. We’ve ordered 87 new ‘VLocity’ carriages, we’re putting on more services and we’re continuing to build the infrastructure Victorians need.”
“This stabling facility was planned for as part of the Regional Rail Link, which has improved capacity on the metropolitan network and reduced bottlenecks that once plagued regional lines.”
Quote attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas
“This will pave the way for more trains, more often for Wyndham Vale and Tarneit passengers as well as creating local jobs during construction.”
Quote attributable to Acting Mayor of Wyndham, Cr Walter Villagonzalo
“The presence of this infrastructure in our City means that much-needed, additional train services will be provided for commuters using the Wyndham Vale and Tarneit stations. The priority for Council will be to work with the State Government to ensure the visual amenity of the site is given due consideration whilst prioritising the new services.”