Early works are ramping up on the $518 million Ballarat Line Upgrade project in Victoria with almost 90 boreholes dug since February of this year, providing information about ground conditions along the route of the Ballarat Line.
Additional site investigation works including geotechnical drilling, service locating and ecological assessments will also be carried out in the coming months, which will help gather more information to finish the project’s detailed design.
“Together with the initial work that has already begun, the announcement of project bidders shows real progress is being made on this great project,” Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight said.
The Ballarat Line Upgrade will be duplicating approximately 18 kilometres of single track between Deer Park West and Melton, install additional passing loops as well as construct new stabling facilities, station platforms and car parking.
The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority (MMRA) will relocate the existing Bacchus Marsh station stabling yards to Maddingley instead of building new stabling at Rowsley and Melton. With this, staff will be able to work from one location away from urban areas, making it quieter for locals.
The project is expected to create up to 400 jobs during construction, with opportunities also available for apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets – which will make up approximately 10 per cent of the total labour hours.
“This massive project will create hundreds of jobs and deliver more frequent and reliable rail services to meet increased demand on the Ballarat Line,” Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard said.
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan has announced five experienced consortia – made up of Australia’s biggest construction companies – who are vying to deliver the multi-million dollar Ballarat Line Upgrade. The five consortia include:
Bids evaluation is well underway, with a preferred bidder to be announced shortly. The contract is expected to be awarded later in 2017.
“Australia’s best construction firms are lining up to build this critical project for the growing communities along the Ballarat Line,” Ms Allan said.
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Source: Premier of Victoria