17th July 2023

Sunbury Line Upgrade Now Complete

Work on the Sunbury Line Upgrade is now complete – another exciting milestone achieved as part of Victoria’s Big Build. The State Government has made improvements to get the Sunbury Line ready to run bigger, more modern trains once the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025. This will increase the capacity, reliability and efficiency of the busy line.

Work began in 2019 and included:

  • power and signalling upgrades
  • 5 new and 10 upgraded substations along the line
  • platform extensions at 8 stations
  • new wheelchair boarding pads
  • upgrades to train stabling at Sunbury, Calder Park and Watergardens.

A new track was also built connecting the Sunbury Line to the Metro Tunnel western entrance in Kensington and removed the Gap Road level crossing, freeing up a traffic bottleneck and improving safety for the community.

Arial view of a train running alongside the Western Portal in Kensington, with the city skyline in the background.

These upgrades mark another major step towards the opening of the Metro Tunnel in 2025 – a year ahead of schedule.

When the Metro Tunnel opens, people travelling on the Sunbury Line will have direct access to 5 new stations at ArdenParkvilleState Library and Town Hall (connecting to Melbourne Central and Flinders Street stations) and Anzac (under St Kilda Road) – improving access to employment, education and other opportunities across the city.

The Metro Tunnel will create room for 113,000 more passengers every week on the Sunbury Line during peak periods and save up to 40 minutes on a return trip to Parkville and St Kilda Road.

Construction works to connect the Sunbury Line to the Metro Tunnel

Original source: https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/rail-projects-victoria/sunbury-line-upgrade-is-now-complete