THE Victorian Government last week announced that five groups have been shortlisted for the $518 million Ballarat Line Upgrade, which includes the duplication of 18 kilometres of single track between Deer Park West and Melton to increase the reliability of rail services.

The five shortlisted groups are:

• John Holland, Arcadis, KBR;
• Laing O'Rourke, AECOM;
• Lendlease, Coleman Rail, SMEC;
• CPB Contractors, WSP; and
• TRANSFORM (McConnell Dowell, RCR O'Donnell Griffin, Arup, GHD).

Above: V/Line trains at Southern Cross Station / by J 536.

In addition to the track duplication, the project also involves the installation of extra passing loops and the construction of new stabling facilities, station platforms and car parking. The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority will relocate existing stabling yards at Bacchus Marsh station to Maddingley instead of constructing new stabling at Melton and Rowsley.

Preparatory works for the project are already under way, with nearly 90 boreholes dug since February to provide information about the ground conditions along the Ballarat line. Further site investigations including geotechnical drilling, service locating and ecological assessments will be carried out in the coming months to inform the project's detailed design.

The contract is expected to be awarded later this year.

Photo: V/Line trains at Southern Cross Station / 'V/LINE Vlocity & N class' / J 536 / Licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0.