By Liam McNally
The state government has pledged $650 million to upgrade the Melton train line which would include a complete rebuild of Melton station, removing four level crossings and upgrading platforms to allow longer trains to run.
Premier Daniel Andrews, Melton MP Steve McGhie and Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan visited Cobblebank station on Thursday, October 6 to announce the new portion of the Western Rail Plan, which is expected to begin construction in 2023.
Level crossings would be removed at Coburns Road, Exford Road, and Ferris Road in Melton, and Hopkins Road in Truganina by 2028.
The removal would allow for 73,000 vehicles per day to travel without having to stop for boom gates, which are currently down for up to 28 minutes of the morning peak while 16 trains pass through.
Platforms would be upgraded at Bacchus Marsh, Cobblebank, Rockbank, Caroline Springs, Deer Park and Ardeer stations to allow for longer trains, which would increase capacity by 50 per cent and create about 1000 jobs during construction.
Mr Andrews said the works are a part of the plan to eventually electrify the Melton line, but that faster lines without removing level crossings would “create chaos.”
“You’ve got to do these things in stages,” he said.
“There’s more to do, and we’re getting on with making Melton completely crossing-free.
“With more new stations, fewer level crossings and hundreds more services already running through Melton, this is the next step to deliver world-class public transport for our fastest-growing communities.”
Melton MP Steve McGhie said the state government will help deliver the necessary connections for the community.
“Families in Melton will be thrilled to see the back of these congested crossings once and for all,” he said.
Melton mayor Goran Kesic said council welcomed the announcement.
“Council has advocated strongly for the removal of these dangerous level crossings, which are getting more and more congested as our community continues to grow,” he said.
“This is great news for our residents – removing the level crossings will reduce travel times, improve traffic flow and make the area safer for all road users.”
However, Cr Kesic said that Melton’s roads were also in serious need of attention.
“Currently about 185,000 people live in Melton, and in about 25 years time we’ll be the size of the nations capital, Canberra, at around 500,000,” Cr Kesic said.
“So we want really our roads to get up to standard before people are commuting every day.”
