Construction on the Mernda line
Coronavirus and Victoria’s Big Build
Work is continuing safely on the Metro Tunnel Project as part of Victoria's Big Build. The health and safety of our workforce and community remains our top priority. COVIDsafe Plans are in place on all project sites across Victoria. 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 |
|---|---|---|
May to August 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 May to August. Works will also include relocation of a signal mast and associated trackside equipment near Pindari Avenue in May. These works will occur: 7pm to 5am
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 the last service between Epping and Mernda from 17 May to 27 August. 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, May to August 2021 (PDF, 214.8 KB). |
February to April 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 during February, March and April. These works will occur: 7pm to 5am
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 from 8.50pm until the last train service on parts of the Mernda line between 1 February to 30 April. Passengers should allow an additional 30 minutes travel time. 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, February to April 2021 (PDF, 283.2 KB). |