No timeline for stage two Warrnambool line upgrades

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan on Friday told regional media the state's Big Build was on track to deliver for regional and rural Victorians.

She would not be drawn on a timeline for stage two upgrades of the Warrnambool line, when works would start or when modern VLocity trains would be delivered.

"There's a lot of work going on the Warrnambool line," Minister Allan said.

"We're upgrading level crossings, upgrading signaling putting in a crossing loop at Boorcan - all designed so we can fit that extra fifth weekday service on that Warrnambool line and also really improve the travel times in and out of Warrnambool.

"The completion of these works will enable us to run the modern VLocity trains on the line, so improving comfort for passengers, improving travel time and adding services for the Warrnambool community."

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Stage two of the Warrnambool rail line upgrade saw $260 million provided by the state and federal government for infrastructure upgrades to allow modern VLocity trains to operate to and from Warrnambool.

The funding involves $208 million of federal government money, topped up by a $52 million state government commitment.

The VLocity trains are expected to cut up to 20 minutes off travel times between Warrnambool and Melbourne, and were announced in July 2017 as part of a $114 million upgrade to the Warrnambool train line.

Now over 1000 days later a date for the arrival of the modern fleet is yet to be revealed.

The Warrnambool line upgrade will be delivered in two stages.

Stage one will allow for a fifth weekday return service and better reliability.

It includes 12 level crossing upgrades between Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool - which are complete - and signalling upgrades and crossing loop at Boorcan, estimated for completion late 2021.

Stage two will enable VLocity trains to run on the line for the first time which includes upgrades to train detection technology at more than 50 public level crossings and a stabling upgrade at Warrnambool Station.

A spokeswoman for Minister Allan's office said planning and design work for stage two was under way, with further information about project timelines to be available in the coming months.

She said the upgraded line would support rail freight and allow export products such as meat and dairy to be moved more quickly and reliably to the Port of Melbourne, benefitting the local economy.

Research conducted by the National Institute for Economic and Industry Research in 2020 revealed trains that can travel up to 200km/h would boost the region's economy by up to 20 per cent by 2050.

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