Proposed Melbourne rail extensions
Alamein Belgrave Glen Waverley Lilydale Cranbourne Pakenham Hurstbridge Mernda Craigieburn Sunbury Upfield Flemington Racecourse Frankston Werribee Williamstown Proposals for expansion of the Melbourne rail network are commonly presented by political parties, government agencies, industry organisations and public transport advocacy groups.
Other proposals are for the construction of new or relocated stations on existing lines, to provide improved access to public transport services.
[3] A major plan released by the Victorian state government of Henry Bolte called for the creation of 510 kilometres of freeways, and a number of new rail lines.
On the 8th of July 2024, Melbourne Airport ended longstanding negotiations with the Victorian Government over the stations location following the appointment of a mediator.
It will also link to new stations to be built in areas that have long been promised rail connections, including Monash University, Burwood, Doncaster, Bundoora and Melbourne Airport.
[16][17] Electrification of the Deer Park – West Werribee line to Wyndham Vale was included in the 2013 Network Development Plan – Metropolitan Rail (NDPMR) by the government agency Public Transport Victoria, along with quadruplication to provide express tracks for Geelong services.
New tracks between Sunshine and Southern Cross Station to be built as part of the Airport rail link could add extra capacity for metro and regional trains.
[21] In September 2019 the State Government announced the timeline for duplication as part of a $1bn package named the "Cranbourne Line Upgrade".
[22] The package includes the removal of the four remaining level crossing on the line, the duplication of 8 km of track, and the rebuilding of Merinda Park Station.
[26][27][28][29][30] In 2018, a paper released by Melbourne City Council as part of its Transport Strategy refresh called for a third cross-city rail tunnel to be built by 2035.
[31] The council called for a stand-alone metro line running from Melbourne Airport to Maribyrnong, Arden Macaulay, Southern Cross, Parliament then east of the CBD to Richmond, Kew, Doncaster and Ringwood.
[57] The business case included other enhancements, such as track duplication, level crossing removals, station upgrades, car parking and train stabling.
