en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Australian Federal Government and the Victorian State Government have jointly announced an allocation of $152.7 million for the pre-development works of the Melbourne Melton Line electrification, with each party contributing half of the funds. This funding will be used for planning approvals, site investigations, environmental assessments, securing power supply for the future electrified line, and undertaking detailed design and cost estimation with project partners.

Related enabling works are already progressing concurrently. Stage 1 of the Melbourne Airport Rail is creating space for electrified tracks at Sunshine Station, while stabling capacity for metropolitan trains is being expanded at Cobblebank. Upgrade works on the Melton Line itself are underway, with nine-car VLocity trains expected to commence operations next year, boosting passenger capacity by 50% before electrification is completed.

Currently, Melton is served only by V/Line trains, with the corridor also accommodating long-distance services to Ballarat. Once electrification is complete, faster metropolitan-style electric trains will operate along the corridor, allowing the regional VLocity fleet to be redeployed to other high-demand lines.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan stated: "The Melton electrification is underway, which will deliver faster trains for the west and get families home sooner." Development works are expected to commence within 2026, with a target completion by mid-2027. The outcomes of this phase will inform decisions on future construction funding.

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