Australia's peak body for rail has commended the Victorian Government on its budget commitment of up to $11 billion to construct the Melbourne Rail Link – a project it says will transform the city's entire transport network making it arguably Australia's most connected, movable city.
Chief executive officer of the Australasian Railway Association (ARA), Bryan Nye OAM, said he was excited about the 2014-15 Budget announcement and the opportunities this strong investment in the state's infrastructure would bring to Victoria.
"I am encouraged by the announcements for rail in this budget and how strongly it has featured in Premier Napthine's plans for the state, in particular its capital city Melbourne," said Mr Nye.
"In the $24 billion announced for road and rail infrastructure projects, $14.5 billion (more than half) is for rail.
"The Melbourne Rail Link is Victoria's largest rail project and along with that title, it will deliver a more reliable rail service, less congested roads and increased capacity for thousands of Melbourne commuters every day.
The Victorian Government has committed $830 million over the next four years to commence construction of the link, which is set to include a new underground tunnel, new and upgraded underground stations and platforms and an all-important line to MelbourneAirport.
"A fast, efficient rail line linking MelbourneAirport to the CBD is a silver bullet project that will reduce the gridlock, frustration and excessive urban sprawl currently felt by commuters on the major arterial roads that connect the two major areas of Melbourne.
"People will be able to travel on the new electrified rail link will between Southern Cross Station and Melbourne Airport every 10 minutes in peak hours and reach their destination in approximately 25 minutes," said Mr Nye.
The ARA also commended the government's commitment towards Cranbourne–Pakenham Line, which will include 25 next-generation, high-capacity trains, high-capacity signalling, the removal of nine level crossings, and better connections from the south east growth corridor, which has the greatest concentration of employment outside of Melbourne's CBD.
