Final designs revealed for VIC Gippsland Line stations upgrade

Locals will finally have a glimpse of what the upgraded stations at Bunyip, Longwarry, Morwell and Traralgon will look like once construction has been completed. 

As part of the Gippsland Line Upgrade, the major station upgrades will help improve safety and accessibility as well as enable more passenger rail services to run along the line. 

“The Gippsland Line Upgrade will enable more services to make it quicker and easier for passengers to travel. We know how important access to reliable and efficient means of transport is to Victorians. 

“That’s why the Australian Government is investing $447.7 million into this upgrade, creating better transport links in the region for locals and visitors,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Catherine King said. 

The final designs released to the public have been informed by community feedback. 

The designs for the station upgrades include a new accessible pedestrian overpass at Traralgon Station along with an upgraded and more accessible underpass at Morwell Station. 

On the other hand, the designs for the Bunyip and Longwarry stations include additional platforms, improved car parking facilities and better integration with their respective town centres. 

Other works include track duplication at Bunyip and Longwarry, a crossing loop extension at Morwell as well as a second platform at all four stations to enable more trains to pass each other. 

Improvements to drainage between the new and existing tracks at Bunyip and Longwarry stations will also be undertaken along with trenching works to allow level crossing upgrades to be delivered as well. 

“It’s great to see works progressing on the Gippsland Line Upgrade and these designs released for the station upgrades at Bunyip, Longwarry, Morwell and Traralgon – which will provide a huge benefit to passengers once complete. 

“This upgrade will enable more frequent and reliable services to run on the line, with improved safety and accessibility,” VIC Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said. 

From 27 July until 8 August, coaches will be replacing trains between Pakenham and Traralgon while works to remove the level crossing is carried out. 

Coaches will also be replacing trains on the Gippsland Line for the entire journey starting 25 June to 19 July. During this time, crews will build the foundations for a new rail bridge at Kilmany as part of the 253 million Princes Highway East Upgrade. 

The Gippsland Line Upgrade is being delivered as part of the Regional Rail Revival program that is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments. 

Major construction on the overall project is anticipated to be completed by late 2022. 

“These upgrades will make it easier and more accessible for Gippsland passengers to use public transport – a new accessible overpass at Traralgon Station and a more accessible underpass in Morwell will make a really positive difference – as well as improved amenity and accessibility at Bunyip and Longwarry stations,” VIC Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said. 

Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Victoria’s Big Build – Regional Rail Revival (1, 2); Victoria State Government – Department of Transport; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government