Victorian Rail Works Steam Ahead at Boronia, Melton

Major rail infrastructure projects in Melbourne’s east and west have moved into delivery phase.

The Melton Line upgrade contract has now been signed while Boronia Station works are to begin within weeks.

John Holland, Kellogg Brown and Root, Metro Trains Melbourne and V/Line have secured the contract to deliver the $650-million Melton Line Upgrade—early works are scheduled to begin next month.

The project will extend platforms at Cobblebank, Rockbank, Caroline Springs and Deer Park stations to accommodate nine-car VLocity trains from 2027, a year ahead of the original schedule.

Melton is 36km west of the Melbourne CBD. The suburb’s status as Australia’s fastest-growing community meant residents “deserve the infrastructure they need to connect them to opportunities”, Hawke MP Sam Rae said. 

The upgrade will clear the way for passenger capacity along the Melton Line to increase by 50 per cent during peak services. The work is being jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments.

A train stabling yard at Cobblebank will house six nine-car trains approximately 700m east of the Melton Station. The facility will include signalling systems, worker facilities and parking, with futureproofing for metropolitan trains when the line undergoes electrification.

The works will also include four platforms for Ballarat services and dedicated Melton services.

Construction of the stabling yard and platform extensions will begin in early 2026, and the upgraded Melton Station is due to open next year also.

Boronia station final redesign plans unveiled

The Victorian government has also released final designs for the Boronia Station precinct upgrade (pictured below). Early works for the upgrade are due to begin this month.

The station 36km east of the Melbourne CBD in the City of Knox is a key stop on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines.

The upgrade follows recently completed infrastructure works including level crossing removals on the Lilydale Line and boom gate removals between Ferntree Gully and the city on the Belgrave Line.

The redesign includes a station forecourt canopy inspired by nearby Dandenong Ranges flora and an expanded concourse to improve cross-rail connections.

A landscaped plaza between the station and Dorset Road will include more green space and seating. The station concourse will be widened and the ticket office relocated to the Erica Avenue entry.

Victorian transport infrastructure minister Gabrielle Williams said the upgrade would make it “easier for people to access public transport and connect with local shops” at Boronia’s shopping precinct.

The Boronia Station upgrade, described as “the biggest investment into Boronia in a generation”, is due to be completed next year.

Other infrastructure investments in Melbourne’s western growth corridor announced in the past month include $4.1 billion for the Sunshine Station Superhub, four major road projects worth $767 million and an $8-million international freight facility at Avalon Airport.