Elsie Lange
New high-capacity trains are a step closer for residents using the Sunbury line, after crews worked day and night to connect substations and complete upgrades.
The 24/7 works were completed over six days in late February, connecting Talmage Street in Albion and Willaton Street in St Albans into the network, as well as completing upgrades at a substation at Diggers Rest.
Other new substations included in the upgrade include Delahey, Footscray, at St Albans Road in St Albans and at Calder Park rail yard.
High-voltage cabling between substations and the rail corridor were also installed.
The state government said the upgrades will use smart signalling technology to allow trains to safely travel closer together – meaning more trains on the Sunbury line.
“The trains will also allow space for 113,000 more passengers in peak periods every week once the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025,” the government said.
Longer, more accessible platforms, upgrading tracks and expanding train stabling will also be included in the line upgrade.
Progress was also made on the piling and retaining walls for the new rail bridge replacing the Gap Road level crossing in Sunbury, which is set to be removed by the end of the year.
To preserve the heritage-listed Sunbury Station, Gap Road/Station Street will be lowered under the existing rail line, and new paths for pedestrians and cyclists are on the way.
In other works, the Sunbury Road upgrade will add lanes on Sunbury Road between Powlett Street and Bulla-Diggers Rest Road, and traffic lights, walking and cycling connections and a new bridge over Jacksons Creek are incoming.
“This work is a big step towards enabling bigger, more modern trains to run on the Sunbury Line, connecting passengers to the Metro Tunnel and saving up to 40 minutes on a return journey to Parkville or St Kilda Road,” Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said.
