Forecourt opens at Waurn Ponds Station

PARKING and access at the Waurn Ponds railway station has never been better, with the official opening of the station’s new forecourt.

The forecourt, which had its final inspections last week, links the 500 car parking spaces on the east and west side and includes a new drop-off zone, upgraded security and better passenger information.

It will also be safer and more convenient for people to ride their bikes to catch the train, with access to more bicycle hoops and secure storage.

The Waurn Ponds Station Upgrade works also include a new platform and pedestrian overpass as well as ramps, lifts and stairs, which are all expected to be finished by the end of March.

Trains could be arriving and departing from the new platform from mid-June, following commissioning and safety testing.

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman toured the new forecourt and the other works at the station recently with representatives from Rail Projects Victoria and engineering and construction firm Downer.

He said the station had already gone through a revitalisation despite only being built about a decade ago.

“Of course, with the massive growth corridor of Geelong, we are seeing more and more people wanting to catch the train daily to Melbourne, whether it be for work or to go down for the footy on the weekend,” he said.

“I think this fantastic new forecourt will very much mean the train station is so much better able to be accessed by the general community.”

The next tranche of works will see crews relocate a live signalling box from the rail corridor to allow the final 50-metre section of rail to be installed and complete track duplication at the station.

More than 2,000 sleepers and 2.9 kilometres of new rail has already been laid.

Major earthworks are also continuing at the site for the new train stabling and maintenance facility near Waurn Ponds, with track installation taking place.

Crews have installed drainage and started work on the new track that will link the Geelong Line to the stabling facility.

The Waurn Ponds Station upgrade is the first step in duplicating the rail line between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds to deliver more frequent and reliable services for passengers on the state’s busiest regional rail line.

The upgrade forms part of the federal and Victorian governments’ investment of more than $4 billion in the Regional Rail Revival program, which is upgrading every passenger rail line in Victoria and creating more than 3,000 jobs and local supplier opportunities.