Linking Victoria

The Linking Victoria was a state government program launched in 1999 by the premier, Steve Bracks, to upgrade transport infrastructure in Victoria, Australia. If implemented, the estimate cost of the program would have been $3.5 billion, including improvements to road, rail and port networks.^[1]

Elements

Elements of the program included:^[2]

• an airport rail link from Melbourne Airport into central Melbourne. Funds were committed in 2017/18 by State and Federal governments for preparation of a business case.^[3]
• Regional Fast Rail project upgrading passenger rail links in regional Victoria, completed in 2009.
• reinstating country passenger rail services, including those to Bairnsdale, Ararat, Leongatha and Mildura. The latter two projects were deferred and ultimately cancelled.
• Geelong Freeway upgrade.
• standardisation of railway gauges (deferred, and partially restarted in 2008).
• Eastern Freeway extension to Ringwood. Completed in 2008.
• duplication of the Calder Highway to Bendigo. Completed on 20 April 2009.
• accident blackspot road safety program.
• development of the Port of Melbourne, constructing the Dock Link Road, investigating reinstatement of the Webb Dock railway line.
• joint private/public sector major redevelopment of Spencer Street station.

See also

• List of Victoria Government Infrastructure Plans, Proposals and Studies