Labor delays level crossings until 2033 for Upfield duplication
Victorian Labor commits $80 million to duplicate the bottleneck Upfield train line and delays eight level crossing removals to 2033.
Premier Ben Carroll will announce Monday an $80 million commitment over two years to duplicate the four-kilometre Upfield line between Gowrie and Upfield stations. Currently a single track causes long waits: 15 to 20 minutes in peak hour, compared to less than 10 minutes on other metro lines.
Duplication would add 50 per cent more capacity. The government will delay eight level crossing removals along the line to coincide with the duplication, saving the budget $686 million.
The removals were promised by 2027, then 2030. Now they're scheduled for 2033.
The initial $80 million funds planning, design and approvals only. Completion timing will become clear after that phase finishes in 2028.
- $80 million over two years
- Initial funding
- 4 kilometres
- Track length
- 50 per cent
- Capacity increase
- $686 million
- Budget savings
Why it mattersCombining works saves huge money but means residents in Melbourne's north wait four more years longer than they were originally promised for level crossing removals.
AustraliaCommuters in Broadmeadows, Dallas, Campbellfield and Fawkner will see faster trains eventually, but the crossing removals they've waited for since 2022 now slip to 2033.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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