Planning is underway for a reconfiguration of West Footscray Station to incorporate the Western Turnback facility for the Melbourmne Metro Tunnel.
To get the most out of the new underground rail line, Melbourne Metro will build a new passenger platform and additional track at West Footscray station to enable trains to start and finish services at West Footscray.
The new passenger platform will be located on the northern side of West Footscray station (Cross Street side) and will service city-bound trains coming from Sunbury in the peak periods.
Cross Street is where the bike trail from Footscray to Sunshine is located, and could be impacted by construction works. This could exacerbate the problems of the poor crossing at the Gordon Street southbound exit.
Additionally, the footbridge and ramps over the station are also part of a bike route, as currently there is no bike facility on nearby Geelong Road as it crosses the railway tracks.
The earlier redevelopment of West Footscray Station left bikes in the lurch with second rate options to cross both the expanse of rail track and the Geelong Road.
In the Western Turnback plans the existing city-bound platform will be used for trains to start and finish services at West Footscray station.
Providing an additional platform for Sunbury line trains will also allow for an increase in the number of services and help ease overcrowding at West Footscray, Middle Footscray and Footscray stations during the morning and afternoon peaks.
The Rail Infrastructure Alliance (RIA), which comprises Rail Projects Victoria, Metro Trains and a consortium of CPB, John Holland and AECOM, will construct the new platform and track at West Footscray.
As part of the planning process for these works, RIA will prepare two draft Development Plans for public display and comment. The draft Western Turnback Development Plan – Stage 1 (Rail Works) is now on display until 14 December.
There will also be an opportunity to comment on the station works plans at a later date.
The Development Plans set out the scope and extent of the built form and urban design around the Metro Tunnel Project’s works at West Footscray station.
The Minister for Planning must approve these Development Plans prior to the commencement of main works.
Further information is available here.
Have your say on the Western Turnback Development Plan – Stage 1 by taking the survey here.
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