May completion for Waurn Ponds station and new services

FOUR weeks of commuter pain caused by rail shutdowns on the Geelong and Warrnambool line over the next month will be offset by the return of longer, more frequent train services at Waurn Ponds station by the end of May.

The latest stage of rail duplication works south of Geelong started on April 30, with installation of the final two 50-metre sections of rail and relocation of live signalling boxes along the rail corridor east of Waurn Ponds to allow trains to pass each other.

The station’s new second platform and pedestrian overpass, ramps, lifts and stairs will be open to passengers for the first time when trains return to the line at the end of the month, and will help cater for two extended weekday services in the morning and two in the evening.

“These upgrades will deliver significant passenger benefits with 20 services extended to and from Waurn Ponds each week and the introduction of longer, nine-car VLocity trains on select Wyndham Vale services,” Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll said.

Construction is also underway on a new walking and cycling path at the upgraded Waurn Ponds Station to extend the existing path on Baanip Boulevard, allowing commuter access to the station from the south side once the new platform is open.

“Getting to Waurn Ponds Station will soon be quicker, safer and more convenient thanks to the new path we’re building as part of our major investment in this growing community,” South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said.

“Upgrades have already boosted car parking at the station to more than 500 spaces, as we make it easier for passengers to drive, walk or cycle to take the train.”

Journey time savings of two to nine minutes on some services for Warrnambool passengers are also being touted as part of the upgrades, due to timetable changes made possible by works on Stage 1 of the Warrnambool Line Upgrade.

The first section of signalling upgrades west of Winchelsea will be commissioned while trains aren’t running this month, with more than 64 kilometres of new signalling cable between Waurn Ponds and Warncoort.

Stage 1 of the project is due to be delivered by the end of the year, when the remaining signalling upgrades between Warncoort and Warrnambool are commissioned as part of the Australian and Victorian government’s investment in upgrades from Waurn Ponds to Warrnambool.

In a separate state government announcement 200 new and upgraded carparks will be built at North Shore station that will be covered with lighting and CCTV.

During the south Geelong line upgrades coaches will replace trains on sections of the Geelong and Warrnambool lines until Saturday, May 28.

Passengers can find out if they’re affected by viewing bigbuild.vic.gov.au

More detailed information on the new timetables will be available from May 13, at ptv.vic.gov.au, vline.com.au and PTV’s journey planner app.