Works begin on station overpass, ramp

WORKS on the accessibility upgrades at Ballarat Train Station got underway this week.

Once complete, the station will have a new overpass at its east side with lifts, and a ramp at the northern entry.

“We’re relocating the bus interchange temporarily out onto Lydiard Street for the duration of our project works,” Level Crossing Removal Project program director Steve Brown said.

“That allows us to get our site set up around where the new overpass is going to be constructed.

“We’ve got crews relocating utilities to make way for more permananent work and people will see a lot of work happening around both north and south platforms, where the new pedestrian bridge is going to be, and we’ll start with foundation work for the new structures in March.

“From here on in, the work will build up, and we’ll kick off improvements to northern access with a new fully-accessible ramp and doorway, which it doesn’t have at the moment.”

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said once complete, the works will ensure the “flagship station on the Ballarat line” is easy to move around for people of all abilities, the aged, young families with prams, and travellers with heavy luggage.

“We have a beautiful 1862 heritage station with an overpass with steps, but that doesn’t help people that require assistance, so I’m very pleased that the Allan Labor Government is investing $51 million at Ballarat Train Station to make sure it’s accessible for all with the pedestrian overpass linking the north and south platforms,” she said.

“We’ll have lifts on either side and steps so people can also walk.

“We know travelling around Victoria on public transport is so important, it’s an economic way to travel, but there are equity issues. We want to make sure everybody has the opportunity to access our train services… and if you arrive at the train station and the train is on the platform, you don’t miss that train.”