John Holland has been chosen as the preferred builder to deliver the $600 million Mernda Rail Extension in Victoria. As part of this project, three new stations are going to be built which will be used by over 8,000 passengers a day.
A new premium station will be built on Mernda – which will be integrated with the proposed Mernda Town Centre – with a second station to be built adjacent to Marymede Catholic College and the third to be built next to Hawkstowe Parade in South Morang.
The Mernda Rail Extension will be supporting up to 3,000 jobs for the entire duration of the project – with 1,200 direct jobs during construction and up to 1,800 indirect jobs for suppliers and other businesses supported by this project.
Once the trains are operational, over 70 ongoing jobs will be supported and 10 per cent of work will be carried out by trainees, apprentices and engineering cadets – which gives young and re-skilling workers a good head-start in their new careers.
“The Mernda Rail Extension will change people’s lives for the better – creating work for thousands of people, and connecting one of Australia’s fastest growing communities to employment, education and the rest of Victoria,” said Premier Daniel Andrews.
This project will also deliver new cycling and walking paths as well as better bus connections and train stabling in Mernda. An extensive bike storage and up to 2,000 new car parking spaces across the three new stations will be included as well.
Construction is expected to commence next year, with trains expected to start running on the new line by 2019.
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Source: Premier of Victoria