Preferred builder announced for VIC's $518m Ballarat Line Upgrade

Construction on the $518 million Ballarat Line Upgrade is on track with the LendLease, Coleman Rail and SMEC consortium named as the preferred bidder to build the project.

“We’re not wasting a moment upgrading the Ballarat line, and every regional passenger line in Victoria.

“We won the fight to revive regional rail and now we’re getting on with building the projects that regional Victorians need,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.

The project will include duplicating 18 kilometres of track between Deer Park West and Melton, which will pave the way for Melton’s future electrification.

The Ballarat Line Upgrade project will also include delivering extra passing loops, new train stabling, improved stations as well as more parking and the relocation of stabling from Bacchus Marsh station to Maddingley.

This project will generate up to 400 construction jobs – which is part of the 1,000 jobs the Regional Rail Revival program will create across Victoria.

The Ballarat Line Upgrade project is the first to be built as part of the Victorian Government’s Regional Rail Revival program, which is a once in a generation investment that will help improve regional passenger lines in the State.

“The Regional Rail Revival starts right here – upgrading tracks, stations and services for regional passengers.

“We’re delivering more frequent and reliable services for growing communities between Melbourne and Ballarat, and creating hundreds of local jobs,” Acting Minister for Public Transport Jaala Pulford said.

The winning consortium is now developing a final proposal, with a contract expected to be awarded later in 2017. Major construction on the project is expected to commence early in 2018.

Source: Premier of Victoria