South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication

Project description

Between Melbourne and Geelong, the rail line is duplicated allowing trains to operate and pass each other independently. However, between Geelong and Warrnambool, the rail line is mostly single track with a limited number of passing loops. Since 2003-04, patronage on the Geelong rail line has increased by 242 per cent and is expected to double by 2025-26. Additional services cannot be provided to South Geelong and Waurn Ponds without duplicating the track. The project will upgrade the Geelong rail line between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds. Works will include: Duplication of approximately eight kilometres of track between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds stations Upgrades to South Geelong and Marshall stations Removal of two level crossings at Fyans Street and Surf Coast Highway, Various signalling upgrades, and Construction of approximately five kilometres of shared user paths.

Benefits

The project will increase the capacity of the line enabling more services and better travel times which leads to improved service reliability.This will allow trains to run around every ten minutes during peak times between Waurn Ponds and Melbourne, delivering up to 255 extra services from Waurn Ponds, 235 services from Marshall and 45 services from South Geelong each week. The project is expected to: improve passenger rail services increase transport infrastructure capacity improve connectivity between people, jobs and services, and goods with markets.

Funding

The Australian Government has committed $784.09 million towards this project.

Timetable

Construction commenced in late 2022. Project scheduled to reach practical completion in late 2024.

Project last updated: 26 Mar 2025