The closed section has since been gradually reconstructed and reopened; to Epping in 1964, South Morang in April 2012, and to Mernda in August 2018.

Since the 2010s, due to the heavily utilised infrastructure of the Mernda line, significant improvements and upgrades have been made.

[6] The early beginning of the Mernda line opened on 8 October 1889, as part of railway extensions into the northern suburbs.

[8] Trains on the line operated via Fitzroy and the Inner Circle, until the opening of the current connection between Victoria Park and Princes Bridge stations in 1901.

[17] In 1983, Whittlesea Council made a submission to the Victorian Government supporting the duplication of the line.

[18] Following the election of the Bracks Government in 1999, a promise was made to restore the service to South Morang, along the former right-of-way by 2003.

[19] The restoration of the railway to Mernda was also identified in the Strategic Transportation Study, undertaken by the City of Whittlesea in 2002.

[4][20] Major construction commenced in October 2010, with works including:[4][21] The double track between Keon Park and Epping was commissioned on 28 November 2011.

The three-metre wide path runs the length of the rail extension and provides connections between the existing bicycle network, through to South Morang station.

No level crossings were built on the new section of the track, with road overpasses provided at Cooper Street, Pindari Avenue, and Civic Drive.

[17] In 1983, Whittlesea Council made a submission to the Victorian Government to extend the Epping line to South Morang and Mernda.

The announcement included:[5] Construction began in 2016, with the stations opening six months early on 26 August 2018.

[33] The tunnel would run from Clifton Hill, potentially include a new stop somewhere in the inner north, before connecting with Parkville, Flagstaff, and Southern Cross stations.

[36] Highlighted in the 2018 Victorian Rail Plan, a proposal exists for a spur line to be constructed to the suburb of Wollert, at a cost of up to $300 million.

In 2017, the State Government announced the acquisition of 6 properties valued at $3.8 million for a future rail corridor.

Since the 2017 acquisitions, there has been little planning developments, with only a small amount of attention given by the local residents, council, and some political parties.

[42] Train services on the Mernda line are also subjected to maintenance and renewal works, usually on selected Fridays and Saturdays.

The route is 33.1 kilometres (20.6 mi) long and is double track the entire way from Flinders Street to its termnius.

Despite the otherwise fairly straight line, it does include Melbourne's sharpest railway curve, between Rushall and Merri.

[50] This outer portion of the line is one of Melbourne's main growth corridors, which is rapidly replacing farmland with housing and commercial developments causing a rise in patronage.

[52] From 2025, Keon Park station will be elevated as part of level crossing removal works.

[57] In compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act of 1992, all stations that are new-built or rebuilt are fully accessible and comply with these guidelines.