Brimbank commuters have been promised a quicker, more efficient train service as the state government gets to work on the Melbourne Metro Rail project.
Premier Dan Andrews last week announced plans to fast-track $40 million in funding to start the project, which includes two nine-kilometre rail tunnels from South Kensington to South Yarra, which will connect the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, and new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South and Domain.
The underground rail tunnels will connect Sunbury line passengers directly to Parkville and St Kilda Road, as well as to the city loop.
Public transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the project would ensure 20,000 more passengers could use the train system in peak hour. There will also be extra trains for Sunbury line passengers.
St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman said the project meant Brimbank residents would not have to go through the city loop or catch a connecting tram to get to the other side of town.
“This will help commuters from the west,” Ms Suleyman said.
The state government has committed to fund a third of the project, expected to cost up to $11 billion.
Construction is due to start in 2018, once federal and private sector investment is secured.
