Andrew Constance - Full steam ahead on South Coast station upgrades
Dapto and Shellharbour Junction train customers will benefit from longer and more accessible station platforms as part of an additional multi-million dollar upgrade to rail infrastructure on the South Coast Line.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the investment is in addition to an initial $600 million infrastructure upgrade package announced last year.
“We’re full steam ahead in getting our stations and other key infrastructure ready for the Mariyung fleet (New Intercity Fleet) which will provide an improved level of comfort, convenience and reliability for South Coast customers,” Mr Constance said.
“As our plans have progressed, we’ve identified some further improvements we need to deliver to ensure customers continue to get a smooth ride once our state-of-the-art new train fleet hits the tracks.”
The upgrade package is currently being delivered across the rail network, including on the South Coast, as part of the NSW Government’s $5.3 billion More Trains, More Services Program.
“The improvements at Dapto and Shellharbour Junction will include platform extensions to enhance accessibility for the new 10-car fleet of trains. Lighting, line markings and tactile paving work will also be carried out at both stations to boost customer safety,” Mr Constance said.
The multi-million dollar package of work includes upgrades to signalling, overhead wiring and the construction of a new maintenance facility at Dapto. Improvements will be delivered to enable train turnbacks at Wollongong, Thirroul and Port Kembla which will increase the efficiency of rail operations. An existing rail siding at Kiama will also have track, signalling and overhead wiring upgrades.
Work will begin on these projects within the coming weeks and be completed by late 2022.
The work will complement other rail upgrades already in delivery across other South Coast stations including at Thirroul, Bellambi, Wollongong, Coniston, Port Kembla and Kiama.
Planning is also underway to deliver an accessibility upgrade at Dapto Station as part of the NSW Government’s Transport Access Program.
