Rail project designs unveiled

CONCEPT designs for new elevated rail bridges and station upgrades, as part of the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication, have been unveiled to the community.

The designs include elevated rail bridges which will enable the removal of level crossings at Fyans Street and the Surf Coast Highway, and the upgrade of the South Geelong and Marshall stations.

As work progresses on the duplication project, which will deliver more frequent and reliable services and better stations for travellers on

Victoria’s busiest regional rail line, the state government is encouraging the community to provide feedback on the concept designs via an online survey.

The new rail bridge will remove trains from the five-way roundabout at Fyans Street in South Geelong, while the rail line at Surf Coast Highway will be elevated and moved away from local residences, creating new, green, open spaces between homes and trains.

The level crossing removals will improve traffic flow and safety for about 36,000 vehicles that travel through the areas every day, reducing travel time for thousands of motorists and enhancing the area by improving residential, walking and cycling conditions.

South Geelong and Marshall stations will be completely rebuilt with new station buildings and forecourts, second platforms and accessible pedestrian overpasses, and improved shelter, as well as more than 200 new parking spaces at Marshall, to service the growing communities south of Geelong.

More than five kilometres of new, shared user paths will be created to link to existing trails and paths and create a continuous connection for cyclists and pedestrians between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds for the first time.

The project will duplicate around eight kilometres of track and upgrade signalling between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds to allow five services an hour during peak times and three an hour between peak times to Marshall and Waurn Ponds stations.

Construction on the project is expected to start at the end of this year and be completed in 2024.

Community consultation on key aspects of the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication is underway, with the state government asking for feedback on the early concept designs for the level crossing removals and station upgrades.

Residents and train travellers can share ideas on how the project designs can reflect and enhance the local area, including landscaping and urban design, so the government understands what’s important to the local communities.

Visit the Engage Victoria website to learn more about the project or complete the online survey before 5pm on September 5.