New bus interchange set for station

TO cater for the projected increase in train services due to the Ballarat Line Upgrade project, works are set to begin on a new bus interchange at the station.

While announcing BMD Constructions as contractor, Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll said work on the new bus interchange will begin in January during the closure of the Ballarat Line and are due to finish mid next year.

“We know the local community is keen to see the interchange built as soon as possible to reduce congestion on local streets and it’s

great we are now closer to making it a reality,” he said.

“Working with BMD Constructions there will be 160 jobs provided here through the upgrade.

“This is part of an ongoing process to bring more services to Ballarat… to ensure we can continue bringing the best of public transport to the Ballarat region and beyond.”

Aiming to provide 12 new spaces for suburban buses, the interchange was designed alongside local community members, heritage experts, engineers and architects and took into account the station’s iconic heritage appeal.

“We have had extensive community consultation… and the local community’s involvement has helped to lead the design process,” Mr Carroll said.

“We’ve also heard the community want better walking and access to the station so we will also be doing a new pedestrian walkway to the station… the idea is that it will be disability compliant.

“This is a really great project and we are going to start work as soon as possible to capitalise on the shutdown of the Ballarat Line while we do our upgrades.”

From 28 December to 30 January, buses will replace trains along the Ballarat Line while final works are completed and from 31 January the new train timetable that includes 125 new services will come start.