[justify][color=windowtext][size=3][font=Calibri]Press release issued this morning[/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=windowtext][size=3][font=Calibri]Tuesday, March 31, 2015[/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#000000][font=Calibri][b][size=5]NINE LEVEL CROSSING REMOVALS AND 37 NEW TRAINS TO TRANSFORM MELBOURNE’S BUSIEST LINE[/size][/b][/font][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#000000][font=Calibri][size=3]The Andrews Labor Government will transform Melbourne’s busiest train line, removing every level crossing between Caulfield and Dandenong and purchasing 37 new high capacity trains to run more services.[/size][/font][/color][/justify]
[justify][font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]Announcing the package of works today, Premier Daniel Andrews said the multi-billion dollar upgrade to the Cranbourne-Pakenham line would create[color=windowtext] thousands [/color]of jobs, ease congestion and reduce travel times for the one million people living in the south-east corridor. The works include:[/color][/size][/font][/justify]
[justify][color=#000000][font=Symbol][size=3]·[/size][size=1][font=Times New Roman] [/font][/size][/font][font=Calibri][size=3]The purchase of 37 next generation, high capacity trains, built at least 50 per cent here in Australia [/size][/font][/color][/justify]
[justify][color=#000000][font=Symbol][size=3]·[/size][size=1][font=Times New Roman] [/font][/size][/font][font=Calibri][size=3]The removal of all nine level crossings between Dandenong and Caulfield [/size][/font][/color][/justify]
[justify][color=#000000][font=Symbol][size=3]·[/size][size=1][font=Times New Roman] [/font][/size][/font][font=Calibri][size=3]Four rebuilt stations at Clayton, Carnegie, Murrumbeena and Hughesdale[/size][/font][/color][/justify]
[justify][color=#000000][font=Symbol][size=3]·[/size][size=1][font=Times New Roman] [/font][/size][/font][font=Calibri][size=3]New and upgraded rail infrastructure in the corridor including power and signaling upgrades[/size][/font][/color][/justify]
[justify][color=#000000][font=Symbol][size=3]·[/size][size=1][font=Times New Roman] [/font][/size][/font][font=Calibri][size=3]A new train depot and maintenance facility in Pakenham[/size][/font][/color][/justify]
[justify][font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]The works will boost capacity by up to 42 per cent on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line every day – accommodating an extra 11,000 passengers in the morning peak – and boost capacity across the network by freeing up existing trains.[/color][/size][/font][/justify]
[justify][font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]Removing nine level crossings will also eliminate congestion at some of the worst crossings in Melbourne, with some boom gates staying down for up to 80 minutes during the two hour morning peak. The level crossings to be removed are:[/color][/size][/font][/justify]


[justify][left][table][tr][td][justify][color=#000000][font=Symbol][size=3]·[/size][size=1][font=Times New Roman] [/font][/size][/font][font=Calibri][size=3]Grange Rd, Carnegie [/size][/font][/color][/justify]
[justify][color=#000000][font=Symbol][size=3]·[/size][size=1][font=Times New Roman] [/font][/size][/font][font=Calibri][size=3]Koornang Rd, Carnegie [/size][/font][/color][/justify]
[justify][color=#000000][font=Symbol][size=3]·[/size][size=1][font=Times New Roman] [/font][/size][/font][font=Calibri][size=3]Murrumbeena Rd, Murrumbeena [/size][/font][/color][/justify]
[justify][color=#000000][font=Symbol][size=3]·[/size][size=1][font=Times New Roman] [/font][/size][/font][font=Calibri][size=3]Poath Rd, Murrumbeena [/size][/font][/color][/justify]
[justify][color=#000000][font=Symbol][size=3]·[/size][size=1][font=Times New Roman] [/font][/size][/font][font=Calibri][size=3]Clayton Rd, Clayton [/size][/font][/color][/justify]
[/td][td][justify][color=#000000][font=Symbol][size=3]·[/size][size=1][font=Times New Roman] [/font][/size][/font][font=Calibri][size=3]Centre Rd, Clayton [/size][/font][/color][/justify]
[justify][color=#000000][font=Symbol][size=3]·[/size][size=1][font=Times New Roman] [/font][/size][/font][font=Calibri][size=3]Corrigan Rd, Noble Park [/size][/font][/color][/justify]
[justify][color=#000000][font=Symbol][size=3]·[/size][size=1][font=Times New Roman] [/font][/size][/font][font=Calibri][size=3]Heatherton Rd, Noble Park [/size][/font][/color][/justify]
[justify][color=#000000][font=Symbol][size=3]·[/size][size=1][font=Times New Roman] [/font][/size][/font][size=3][font=Calibri]Chandler Rd, Noble Park[/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][size=3][color=#000000][font=Calibri]The Labor Government will get straight to work. Expressions of Interest for the level crossing removals and the next generation trains will be released to the market within months. The trains will be at least 50 per cent locally made, supporting Victorian jobs.[/font][/color][/size][/justify]
[justify][size=3][color=#000000][font=Calibri]Instead of proceeding with the former Liberal Government’s Cranbourne-Pakenham con, the Labor Government will purchase intellectual property from the consortium, and use it and the funding to fast-track a bigger, better plan with more trains and more level crossing removals.[/font][/color][/size][/justify]
[justify][size=3][color=#000000][font=Calibri]The Labor Government will also proceed with a trial of high capacity signaling despite the Liberals secretly dumping their promised rollout a week before the state election campaign. Based on technical advice from Public Transport Victoria, a trial of high capacity signaling will take place on the Sandringham Line.[/font][/color][/size][/justify]
[justify][size=3][color=#000000][font=Calibri][b]Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews[/b][/font][/color][/size][/justify]
[justify][i][size=3][color=#000000][font=Calibri]“I live in the south-east so I know the level crossings nightmare all too well.” [/font][/color][/size][/i][/justify]
[justify][i][size=3][color=#000000][font=Calibri]“The boom gates between Dandenong and Caulfield stay down for up to 80 minutes over the morning peak. If we don’t act now, transport in the south-east will eventually grind to a halt.”[/font][/color][/size][/i][/justify]
[justify][i][size=3][color=#000000][font=Calibri]“We’re removing 50 of our most dangerous and congested level crossings, to get people home safer and sooner.”[/font][/color][/size][/i][/justify]
[justify][size=3][color=#000000][font=Calibri][b]Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan[/b][/font][/color][/size][/justify]
[justify][i][size=3][color=#000000][font=Calibri]“Fewer level crossings and more trains means fewer delays and more services, every single day. It will transform Melbourne’s busiest rail line.” [/font][/color][/size][/i][/justify]
[justify][i][size=3][color=#000000][font=Calibri]“Removing level crossings will create Victorian jobs. Building trains locally will protect Victorian jobs. This helps our transport system and our economy.” [/font][/color][/size][/i][/justify]

Hello Revenue, it's been a long time since we've heard from you.

No level-crossings Dandy-city has been on the cards for a long time, so has a new depot at Pakenham. I think outer-Eastern and Gippsland users were hoping for a third track or at least some overtaking lanes... nothing like that on the horizon?

This is great news, if it happens (Sorry can't avoid the typical sceptical response to Polly promises).

I wonder how they would do particularly Heatherton Road and Corrigan Road Noble Park from an engineering point of view? I lived right near them for a few years and were forever waiting for trains at those crossings.

I assume sinking the rail line for those crossings would be the best method, but its going to be messy and interruptive to those around for several months while it takes place.

Steve

A summary of the new project & comparison with the previous Government's Dandenong Corridor Project from the Government's press release today:


Good to see that High Capacity Signalling will actually be implemented on the Sandringham line first, as was planned originally a few years ago. Would be interesting to see if the original contractor will still be doing the implementation.

I'm curious about whether any or all of the grade separations will allow for extra tracks.  The proof will be in the pudding I suppose.

I'm curious about whether any or all of the grade separations will allow for extra tracks.  The proof will be in the pudding I suppose.

"Compatible with future network requirements"; maybe?

Better than the plan originally proposed under the consortium led by former treasurer Stockdale anyway.

This is a big announcement. This is a big committed to rail. Napthine and the previous government will be eclipsed by the amazing work Andrews will do.

Is it safe to say already te ride has tired in regard to public transport infrastructure spending in Victoria ?

Have they indicated how much this will cost or are they riding on the costings done by the previous government?

Have they indicated how much this will cost or are they riding on the costings done by the previous government?

I don;t think anymore would argue this work needs to be completed and will benefit both rail and road users.  I also imagine this will free up slots for freight into and out of Gippsland?

Costs. Cheaper to do it now than wait another 10 years.

What does the cranborne upgrade include ?

No extension to Clyde ?

Does this project allow for future Quadruplicating of the Dandenong Lines?



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc_224ozYDc

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/cranbourne-pakenham-transformation An very bad video - - How can a blind or Vision impaired person get the information from the video if there is no voice in video?

By then, if all goes to plan, the Dandenong corridor will be level crossing-free and able to cope with trains running at three minute intervals. If Labor is serious about finding a long-term solution to overcrowding on the line, its next priority will be to roll out high-capacity signalling at this time.

How can you have service every 3 when you're running mixed express and stopping all stations on the same track of each other?
Would be better if you quadruplication the line between Melbourne and Dandenong or in your plans to have room for quadruplication of the line later down the track?
If the line has 4 tracks (between Melbourne and Dandenong) and then the following can happen:
one set of tracks can be used for: stopping all stations from the city to Dandenong  and another set of tracks can be used for express services - for example like Cranbourne, Pakenham and Country areas.

Why no additional tracks?.....I swear I saw a post somewhere along the of Victrack in their usual manner of doing things is planning to remove turnouts and crossovers at Caulfield. If that's the case, quad track from Caulfield to Dandenong is pointless as it would all be forced back down to using two tracks. However if the Caulfield to Footsgrey/North Melbourne/airport? tunnel ever gets to shovel-ready who knows.

How can you have service every 3 when you're running mixed express and stopping all stations on the same track of each other?

There aren't any expresses anymore.
Even the ones that they claim are aren't - they skip Westall and Sandown Park, while not saving any time.

What does the cranborne upgrade include ?

No extension to Clyde ?

Not at this point -

In actual fact the centre-piece of this, the removal of 9 level crossings, is a commitment to road, not rail. It will not do anything to lessen the train congestion, and amounts to whimping out on the previous proposal. Nothing less than a combination of track amplification and high capacity signalling will do anything to improve the service on the Dandenong line. Just the usual spin...

Not this smeg again... Removing level crossings benefits both road and rail. You can't really do track amplification or get the full benefit out of High Capacity Signalling without grade separation. Just like the Sandringham HCS trial, it's an important prepatory step.
New higher capacity trains will bring immediate benefit once they come into service.

It's probably a good thing that Sandy has been chosen for the high capacity signaling test. To implement it on the Pakenham line and then discover that it is totally incompatible with mixed traffic (e.g. metro sparks, Vline dmu, loco hauled passes and freight) would be a disaster. Its already very poor that nearly all Traralgon services at the last timetable change were altered to take up to 20 minutes longer to get through the metro area! As has already been pointed out on this forum, no additional tracks between Oakleigh and Dandenong, to allow genuine express running and to allow Vline trains to overtake stopper sparks, is very bad planning add it shows just how out of touch these government planners, and transport minister spin doctors are!

I'm curious about whether any or all of the grade separations will allow for extra tracks.  The proof will be in the pudding I suppose.

The grade separations would allow for both extra Metro track and  SERL  if it ever eventuates a dual gauge separate track for VLP and sg to Port of Hastings access .  But this Government is having both  Bay West and Hastings re visited prior to making a final decision .

Not at this point -

New stabling and servicing facility now to be at Pakenham East .  

So Cranbourne stabling and  Clyde extension amex in new plan for time being .

A summary of the new project & comparison with the previous Government's Dandenong Corridor Project from the Government's press release today:

Good to see that High Capacity Signalling will actually be implemented on the Sandringham line first, as was planned originally a few years ago. Would be interesting to see if the original contractor will still be doing the implementation.

A contract was never let for any of the  Metro private  Proposal.  DOT advice is understood to have always been trial any new system first on Sandringham line beforee xtending it to other corridors .  Napthine & Mulder ignored that advice in their rush to get metro to build it, then pulled the plug on the high capacity signalling quietly just before the State election when they finally started to believe that there were risks .

Dan the Man has taken DOT advice to trial any new yet to be sourced high capacity signalling system first on Sandringham line .

Have they indicated how much this will cost or are they riding on the costings done by the previous government?

Dan the Man said today  cost will be higher than original Metro proposal, but that is now a much bigger better project .  Final cost will be known when the 9 x lx package and  37 x new trains  tenders are put to the market in the coming months .  So Government has a range of cost overall but it does not declare its hand till the major tenders have closed, so that prospective bidders sharpen their pencils .  

Squabbling East - West  contractors should be hungry for the  lx  pacakage as replacement work, and local rollingstock manufacturers will need to sharpen their pencils too , to secure an initial order for 37 new generation trains which will become the future Melbourne train product for many years .  No way are we going to have more different train types in metropolitan operation .  We will have the new generation Metro trains plus the existing Siemens and Xtraps with the Com engs progressively retired .

No point of high capacity signalling without duplicating Dandenong to Cranbourne. That, congestion in the City Loop and V/Line are the biggest cause of delays along the corridor.

Dan the Man has taken DOT advice to trial any new yet to be sourced high capacity signalling system first on Sandringham line .

I'm actually referring to the original consultants/contractors that were hired to look into the Sandringham line HCS trial, not the MTR-UGL-John Holland consortium's work.

In actual fact the centre-piece of this, the removal of 9 level crossings, is a commitment to road, not rail. It will not do anything to lessen the train congestion, and amounts to whimping out on the previous proposal. Nothing less than a combination of track amplification and high capacity signalling will do anything to improve the service on the Dandenong line. Just the usual spin...

The lx in this section actually limit the operation of 18 trains per hour as signalled in reality to 13 - 14, so the removal of lx will actually allow more trains to run even with the existing signalling .  

There is no wimping out on the original proposal which had no track amplification either .  

DOT advice is understood to have always been that the Metro proposed original high capacity signalling system was questionable with the mix of VLP, freight and Metro trains, whereas yes it would be OK with just Metro trains .   As per original proposal a high capacity signalling system is to be sourced and trialled on the Sandringham Line as original proposal.  

Even Mulder got nervous and pulled the pin on the high capacity signalling for Dandenong line quietly just before the election .

More trains of greater length and capacity will provide additional capacity of 11,000 pax in the am Peak alone .