Rail gauge standardisation

The Government bought back the lease of the regional rail network from Pacific National in May 2007 in order to be able to better manage and invest in the network including consideration of standardising key rail freight corridors.

Currently, two separate rail networks operate in Victoria:

A 5 foot 3 inch (1.6 metre) broad gauge system and
A 4 foot 8 1/2 inch (1.435 metre) standard gauge network that links with interstate systems.

The process for standardisation involves moving one of the two rails of a broad gauge track, decreasing the track gauge or width to standard gauge.

Current initiatives

Dynon Port Rail Link

The recently completed $173 million Dynon Port Rail Link was a joint Federal and State funded project to improve rail access into the Port of Melbourne by providing two new dual gauge tracks into the port. The new tracks are grade separated from Footscray Road reducing delays to trains and road users. In addition, the Australian Rail Track Corporation has completed a $45 million AusLink project which has improved the capacity of the standard gauge network in Melbourne's inner west between Tottenham and Dynon. This will enable more efficient rail operations into the Dynon rail terminals and the Port of Melbourne.

Port of Melbourne Rail Access Improvement Project

This $50 million project funded by the State ($23.5 million), Federal Government ($10 million) and Australian Rail Track Corporation ($16.5 million) will provide an additional dual gauge line into the port between Dock Link Road and the Dynon Port Rail Link and provide a dual gauge connection between the Dynon rail terminals and the port. The project has recently commenced and will greatly increase port rail capacity, connectivity between the port and nearby rail terminals and the port and Melbourne's south-east industrial areas.

Geelong

The Geelong Rail Access Improvement Project has been completed and provides a dual gauge rail connection into the Port of Geelong, connecting it with the Victorian and interstate standard gauge rail networks.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation has obtained $50 million in Federal funding for further works to improve standard gauge access into the Port of Geelong.

Gheringhap to Mildura track upgrade project

In May 2006, the Government announced a $73 million upgrade of the Gheringhap to Mildura railway line comprising $53 million in State funds and $20 million in AusLink funding. The upgrade will enable freight trains to operate at 80 km/h, which will reduce costs to customers by reducing transit times and improving reliability. It will also secure the line's future as a freight corridor for export grain and horticultural products from the State's north-west. The upgrade is is scheduled for completion in August 2009 and has been undertaken in a way that facilitates future gauge standardisation.

North East Rail Revitalisation Project

The $501 million North East Rail Revitalisation Project will remove the rail line from the centre of Wodonga and convert 208 kilometres of broad gauge track between Seymour and Albury to standard gauge, providing a first-class passenger and rail freight link between Australia’s economic hubs, Melbourne and Sydney including the regional centre of Albury-Wodonga. The project is jointly funded between the Commonwealth’s AusLink program ($45 million), the Victorian Government ($171 million) and the Australian Rail Track Corporation $285 million.