Clifton Hill Rail Project
- Timeframe
- Start: early 2008
- End: 2010
- Cost
- $52 million
What's happening
Work on the new 750 metre long bridge between Clifton Hill and Westgarth stations has been completed. The new bridge doubles capacity through Clifton Hill and will improve services for the 60,000 commuters who travel through this junction every weekday. View the Premier's media release.
Project description
The Clifton Hill Rail project involves building a second rail track for 750 metres between Clifton Hill and Westgarth stations. As part of the project, a new rail bridge will be constructed over Merri Creek. Once completed, the project will provide continuous double tracks ensuring trains can pass each other through this busy section of the Epping line.
The duplication project also involves:
- New signalling and overhead power;
- Upgrade of four pedestrian crossings;
- Improved landscaping; and
- Improved access for cyclists and pedestrians in the area.
Project benefits
- The removal of this bottleneck will enable services on the Epping and Hurstbridge lines to operate more efficiently, resulting in greater reliability for commuters and more flexibility for timetabling.
- The bridge over Merri Creek has been specifically designed to complement its urban, environmental and heritage aspects with input and feedback from the local community.
- Cyclists and pedestrians will benefit from improved access in the area, including between the Merri Creek area and Clifton Hill Station. New native plants will also complement this area
- Safety will be improved at Clifton Hill Station with upgrades to four pedestrian crossings, including automatic pedestrian gates with audible warnings.
- The upgrade will allow for the future extension of the network to South Morang.