Melbourne suburban rail reaches South Morang

COMMERCIAL operations began on Sunday on the 3.5km extension of Melbourne’s suburban rail network from Epping to South Morang.

The $A 498m ($US 515m) project also involved track-doubling on the 5km Keon Park – Epping section, construction of a new station at Thomastown, upgrading and expansion of the depot at Epping, and relocation of Epping station.

The extension was delivered by an alliance between the Victoria State Department of Transport, Metro Trains Melbourne, VicRoads, Aecom, and John Holland. Major construction began in October 2010, and work between Keon Park and Epping, including the second track and new stations at Thomastown and Epping, was completed by the end of 2011.