The Regional Rail link moved into high gear today with the announcement of a $570 million construction contract by Federal Member for Gellibrand Nicola Roxon and Victorian Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder.
This is the second last contract to be awarded for the multi-billion dollar project and covers the track works between the City (Southern Cross Station) and the Maribyrnong River including a new 1 kilometre rail overpass over the Maribyrnong River which will facilitate the movement of regional trains between the inner west and Southern Cross Station.
“The Gillard Government is investing in our future by partnering with the Victorian Government to build Australia’s largest public transport infrastructure project to service our regional centres and Melbourne’s growing population in the north and west,” Ms Roxon said.
“This project is a key pillar of Labor’s Nation Building Program and will significantly improve the frequency and reliability of services for passengers on the Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat lines.
“Today’s announcement will deliver more jobs to the local construction industry and once complete, the Regional Rail Link will attract employers, workers and visitors into the vibrant Footscray Activities District.”
Victorian Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said Regional Rail Link was an important piece of infrastructure for the state and when complete in early 2016, would remove major bottlenecks from the state’s public transport system by separating regional and metropolitan trains.
“The project will expand the rail network to increase connections between Victoria’s communities, and will link more people to jobs, education, recreation and vital services, providing Melbourne with its first new major rail line in 80 years,” Mr Mulder said.
“2900 direct jobs and 2700 indirect jobs are expected as part of the Regional Rail Link project, a total of 5600 jobs.”
The $570 million contract was awarded to a consortium consisting of: John Holland, Abigroup, Coleman Rail, AECOM & GHD, who will partner with MTM, V/Line and the Regional Rail Link Authority to deliver the works between the City and the Maribyrnong River.
The scope of works includes:

• Construction of a new 1 kilometre rail overpass over the Maribyrnong River area;


• A rail-over-rail flyover between the Maribyrnong River and Hopkins Street Footscray;


• 4.5 kilometres of new tracks to separate metropolitan and regional trains within Melbourne’s busiest rail junction;


• Extensive track reconfiguration and major upgrades to the existing North Melbourne rail-over-rail flyover which will be used to access platforms 1-8 at Southern Cross Station;


• Major bridge modifications at Dynon Road, Moonee Ponds Creek, Lloyd Street and Dudley Street; and


• A new twin track rail bridge over Dudley Street in West Melbourne.

The announcement follows the three contracts awarded in December last year for signalling and design and construction works between Footscray and Werribee.
The Regional Rail Link project is being built with $3.2 billion in funding from the Australian Government and the Victorian Government contributing the balance.
Delivery of the Regional Rail Link project involves a total of six major packages of work, with the only remaining contract at West Werribee Junction to be awarded in the middle of 2012.