GREATER Dandenong train passengers should have more room to move in coming years.
The State Government last Friday announced a $2-2.5 billion rail project to meet growth in Melbourne’s south east, and flagged plans to remove three Noble Park level crossings.
Premier Denis Napthine said it would transform the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines to allow more trains to carry more people.
It will mean 25 new next generation and high-capacity trains and high-capacity signalling that will enable more trains to run, more often.
Mr Napthine said the project would deliver a 30 per cent capacity boost for one of Melbourne’s busiest rail corridors.
“That’s an extra 4500 people in the peak hour who can get where they need to go as quickly as possible,” he said.
The project is also set to improve traffic flow and safety through the removal of four level crossings.
A further five have been allocated planning and preconstruction funding for future removal, including those at Corrigan, Heatherton and Chandler roads in Noble Park.
RACV public policy general manager Brian Negus said the much-needed upgrade was one of the transport advocate’s top priorities for Melbourne.
Bombardier in Dandenong South hopes to be selected to produce the new trains, and Mr Napthine said he hoped to see them built in Victoria.
