Tara Murray
Watergardens train station is a hive of construction of activity, with work under way on two projects.
Rails Projects Victoria and the Department of Transport are working on separate projects at the station, which will provide better services on the Sunbury line and improve Watergardens station.
A Rail Projects Victoria spokesperson said early works on the Sunbury line upgrade were progressing well.
The works include power upgrades and platform extensions along the train line and new wheelchair boarding platforms at eight stations.
Train stabling will also be expanded at Watergardens and Calder Park.
“Work is currently underway to extend the platforms at Watergardens station and build extra train stabling to store the new trains overnight – and in the coming months we’ll be realigning sections of track between Watergardens station and Pioneer Park in Sydenham, and installing underground services for train signalling near the station,” the spokesperson said.
The line upgrade is on track to be completed by the end of 2023. The project is part of the Metro Tunnel Project and will allow more modern trains to run through the Metro Tunnel and out to Sunbury from 2025, creating capacity for 113,000 extra passengers every week.
The Department of Transport is working around the clock to build three new lifts at Watergardens station.
The new lifts will feature more space, better CCTV to improve safety, and a new separate back-up power generator. The lifts will be open later this year.
There will be more work on the Sunbury line later this month, with major works to be conducted by Rail Projects Victoria as part of the line upgrade.
Buses will replace trains between February 26 and March 8, as crews install overhead power structures, underground services, tracks, drainage and wheelchair boarding pads on platforms.
Works are also occurring at Albion and St Albans stations as part of the line upgrades.
A state-of-the art Sunshine Signal Control Centre in Sunshine is also in its final stages of construction.
