Construction on the Mernda line
Coronavirus and Victoria’s Big Build
Works have resumed safely with COVIDSafe plans in place to help protect workers and the community. Strict processes will be in place to check and record the vaccination status of workers entering construction site. Learn more.
Next-generation High Capacity Signalling (HCS) technology will be installed in the Metro Tunnel to deliver more trains during peak periods.
Testing
Before it is rolled out on the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines and in the Metro Tunnel, the new technology is being put through months of rigorous testing on a 4.5km section of track on the Mernda line, between Epping and South Morang stations.
This test site is helping us fine tune the operation of the system for use in Melbourne. The Mernda line was chosen because it does not share tracks with regional or freight services and has fewer timetabled night services than other lines.
What will testing involve?
Two test trains are being put through hundreds of scenarios to make sure the integration of the new technology, the existing signalling system and the train is functioning as expected.
We expect approximately 500 hours of track time will be required to perform these testing activities. These hours will be spread out across 2020 and 2021 to allow time in between testing for any modifications required.
Learn more about High Capacity Signalling.
Current works
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| Timing | Where | What's happening |
|---|---|---|
August to December 2021 | Between Epping and South Morang stations | Out-of-hours testing of the Metro Tunnel’s next-generation High Capacity Signalling will continue intermittently on the Mernda line between Epping and South Morang stations from August to December. These works will occur: 7pm to 5am, Mondays to Fridays
7pm to 4am, Mondays to Fridays
These works are expected to generate medium to high levels of noise. Testing works will require the use of trains at night, when trains are not normally running. The trains will use horns as required. To ensure these works can take place safely, buses will replace trains on various evenings, from 8.50pm to last service each night on parts of the Mernda line between 30 August and 9 December 2021. To stay up to date with bus replacement timetables and to plan your journey, visit Public Transport Victoria. For further details. see the Mernda Line, out of hours works notification, August to December 2021 (PDF, 259.6 KB) or Mernda line, out of hours works notification, May to August 2021 (PDF, 214.8 KB) |