By Ewen McRae
The long-awaited upgrade to Rockbank station is almost ready to be unveiled, with the finishing touches being put on the new-look station this week.
The station, which has been closed for the past six weeks while the final installations and improvements were completed, will hold an open day on August 25 ahead of its re-opening for commuters the following day.
The new station includes two new platforms with seating and canopies, a new accessible pedestrian overpass with lifts, ramps and stairs, a new 350-space carpark, myki facilities, lighting and CCTV.
The station will also have a bus terminal to allow for expanded bus services in the growing area.
While the station was closed, crews demolished the existing platforms and pedestrian level crossing, built new platforms, rebuilt track through the station and Leakes Road level crossing and completed the new overpass and carpark.
Regional Rail Revival director Mark Havryluk said the new station would provide vastly improved performance.
“It’s been a huge job to demolish and rebuild Rockbank station from the ground up,” he said. “It will be great to see passengers back on the platforms again.
“We really appreciate passengers’ patience while we needed to close the station for construction to keep workers and the public safe.
“Catching the train will be a much better experience for Rockbank residents now, with a modern, convenient station that is easy to get around for everyone.
“We’re encouraging everyone in the Rockbank community to come down to the station on Sunday (August 25) to see its transformation first-hand.”
More than one million hours have been worked on the Ballarat Line Upgrade so far, with almost 30 kilometres of track laid, using 42,000 sleepers.
Construction on the project, which includes a new station at Cobblebank and upgraded stations at Ballan and Bacchus Marsh, is on track for completion by the end of this year.
