South Morang Rail Extension Project
The South Morang Extension project includes 3.5km of rail extension from Epping to South Morang on the suburban electric Epping railway line in north Melbourne. It also includes duplication of a 5km-long rail track between Keon Park and Epping stations.
The $650m project is being executed by an alliance of the Department of Transport, Metro Trains (the operator) and VicRoads, the state highway department of Victoria. Funding is provided under the $38bn Victorian Transport Plan that was initiated by the Government to improve public transport in north Melbourne.
Upon completion in 2012, the project will improve access to public and road transport in areas around South Morang and Plenty Valley. It will also witness significant upgrades at the Epping, Hurstbridge and Whittlesea corridor.
The South Morang rail extension is an all-inclusive rail and road infrastructure plan. In addition to duplication and laying of new rail tracks, the north Melbourne region will also witness significant development of road infrastructure.
The 3.5km extension is being constructed along the shared pedestrian and bicycle path to connect to the existing bicycle network.
Three new road overpasses will be built at Cooper Street in Epping, Pindari Avenue and Civic Drive in Mill Park and two new rail bridges over Darebin Creek and Henderson's Drain.
The new South Morang station will be constructed between Civic Drive and McDonald's road. It will be an interchange multi-modal station with feeder bus services and will have a bus interchange and space for 450 car bays.
The existing Epping station will be shifted to the north of Cooper Street. The station's maintenance facility will be upgraded and expanded.
The station at Thomastown will be reconstructed, adding a second platform and a pedestrian overpass.
Other stations that will gain significant parking space are Lalor and Keon Park stations. The Lalor station will have new parking space for 140 cars.