Editing Cranbourne line (section)

== Future ==
=== Metro Tunnel ===
{{Main|Metro Tunnel}}

[[File:Melbourne_Metro_Rail_Tunnel_route_map_blue.svg|alt=A map showing the route of the Melbourne Metro tunnel heading through the CBD|thumb|The map of the Metro Tunnel route through the [[Melbourne central business district]].]]
The [[Network Development Plan – Metropolitan Rail|2012 Network Development Plan]] identified the need for a north–south tunnel connecting the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines to the [[Sunbury railway line|Sunbury line]].<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |title=Growing Our Rail Network 2018–2025 |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/footer/legal-and-policies/growing-our-rail-network-2018-2025/ |access-date=11 December 2022 |website=Public Transport Victoria}}</ref> In 2017, the [[Metro Tunnel]] began construction, involving the construction of five new underground stations, twin {{convert|9|km|adj=on}} tunnels, and other associated infrastructure improvements. Leaving the existing Cranbourne line alignment before [[South Yarra railway station|South Yarra station]], new stations will be built at [[Anzac railway station|Anzac]], [[Town Hall railway station, Melbourne|Town Hall]] (with connections to [[Flinders Street railway station|Flinders Street station]]), [[State Library railway station|State Library]] (with connections to [[Melbourne Central railway station|Melbourne Central]]), [[Parkville railway station|Parkville]], and [[Arden railway station, Melbourne|Arden]], before continuing onto the Sunbury line. These works will be completed by 2025, and upon completion, will create a singular rail line from Cranbourne and Pakenham to Sunbury and [[Melbourne Airport]] ([[Melbourne Airport rail link|from 2029]]).<ref name=":43">{{Cite web |last=Victoria's Big Build |date=28 November 2022 |title=About the Metro Tunnel Project |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/metro-tunnel/about |access-date=9 December 2022 |website=Victoria’s Big Build}}</ref>

=== Melbourne Airport rail link ===
{{Main|Melbourne Airport rail link}}

The [[Melbourne Airport rail link]] will involve the construction of a {{convert|27|km|adj=on}} line from [[Sunshine railway station, Melbourne|Sunshine]] to a new station at [[Melbourne Airport railway station|Melbourne Airport]].<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |last=Jacks |first=Rob Harris, Timna |date=20 November 2020 |title=Melbourne Airport trains will run through the Metro tunnel every 10 minutes |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/melbourne-airport-trains-will-run-through-the-metro-tunnel-every-10-minutes-20201120-p56gl2.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505065158/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/melbourne-airport-trains-will-run-through-the-metro-tunnel-every-10-minutes-20201120-p56gl2.html |archive-date=5 May 2022 |access-date=5 May 2022 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref> Connected via the Metro Tunnel, services will operate from the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines<ref>{{Cite web |last=Premier of Victoria |date=29 March 2021 |title=First look at long-awaited Melbourne Airport Rail |url=https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/first-look-long-awaited-melbourne-airport-rail |access-date=5 May 2022 |archive-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208072200/https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/first-look-long-awaited-melbourne-airport-rail |url-status=live }}</ref> through the tunnel before splitting off at Sunshine to either Sunbury or Melbourne Airport. Construction of the line will involve the renovation of Sunshine station to allow for additional platforms, construction of new track, and the addition of two new stations at [[Keilor East railway station|Keilor East]] and Melbourne Airport.<ref name=":62">{{Cite web |last=Victoria's Big Build |date=30 October 2022 |title=Melbourne Airport Rail overview |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/melbourne-airport-rail/about/project-overview |access-date=11 December 2022 |website=Victoria’s Big Build}}</ref> Construction started in 2022 with services expected to begin in 2029.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Victoria's Big Build |date=8 October 2022 |title=Melbourne Airport Rail timeline |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/melbourne-airport-rail/about/project-timeline |access-date=11 December 2022 |website=Victoria’s Big Build}}</ref>

=== Clyde extension ===
{{Main|Clyde railway station, Victoria}}Services on the South Gippsland line were fully suspended in 1981 due to limited passenger numbers on the route. Since the closure, calls have been made to reopen the line to the suburb of [[Clyde, Victoria|Clyde]]. Reopening of the line to [[Clyde railway station, Victoria|Clyde]] was first promised by the [[Australian Labor Party]] during the [[1999 Victorian state election|1999]] and [[2002 Victorian state election|2002]] state election campaigns, but were dumped before the [[2006 Victorian state election|2006]] election.<ref>{{cite web |author=LIZ BELL |date=27 October 2008 |title=Focus on public transport |url=http://cranbourne.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/focus-on-public-transport/1344148.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110821203203/http://cranbourne.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/focus-on-public-transport/1344148.aspx |archive-date=21 August 2011 |access-date=4 November 2008 |work=Cranbourne Journal |publisher=cranbourne.yourguide.com.au}}</ref> In November 2003, a "Trainlink" bus service was introduced as an alternative, meeting each train at Cranbourne station and running on a largely one-way loop through Cranbourne East.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 November 2003 |title=NEW CRANBOURNE BUS SERVICES PUT THE TRAIN ON YOUR DOORSTEP |url=http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/798c8b072d117a01ca256c8c0019bb01/0696403d0364473eca256dd900777ac3!OpenDocument |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403223840/http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/798c8b072d117a01ca256c8c0019bb01/0696403d0364473eca256dd900777ac3!OpenDocument |archive-date=3 April 2011 |access-date=4 November 2008 |work=Media Release: OFFICE OF THE PREMIER |publisher=www.legislation.vic.gov.au}}</ref> The [[Steve Bracks|Bracks]] governments [[Victorian Transport Plan]], released in 2008, listed the extensions and associated works as a "medium term" project, which was estimated to cost $200 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cranbourne East Extension |url=http://www4.transport.vic.gov.au/vtp/projects/cranbourneeast.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711155547/http://www4.transport.vic.gov.au/vtp/projects/cranbourneeast.html |archive-date=11 July 2009 |access-date=5 July 2012 |work=Victorian Transport Plan |publisher=www4.transport.vic.gov.au}}</ref> Despite the political promise to revive the railway line for freight and passenger services by the [[Steve Bracks|Bracks]]-led [[Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)|Labor]] government in 1999, the project was abandoned in 2008 by his successor [[John Brumby]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rees |first=Brendan |date=6 November 2018 |title=Slow train to Clyde |url=https://cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au/news/2018-11-06/slow-train-to-clyde/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=Cranbourne Star News |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2013, as part of Public Transport Victoria's [[Melbourne Network Development Plan|Network Development Plan]] for metropolitan rail, an extension of the Cranbourne line to Clyde was earmarked to begin in the "long-term", which would equate to at least over the next 20 years.<ref>[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV-default-site/footer/legal-and-policies/growing-our-rail-network-2018-2025/PTV_Network-Development-Plan_Metropolitan-Rail_2016update_AccessibleVersion.DOC PTV- Network Development Plan]</ref> In January 2018, [[City of Casey]] advised it would need almost $3 billion worth of rail and road infrastructure projects to continue development of the region, including the extension of the metropolitan train from Cranbourne to Clyde and the duplication of the line between Dandenong and Cranbourne. In the lead up to the [[2018 Victorian state election|2018 state election]], the incumbent [[First Andrews ministry|Andrews government]] announced the Cranbourne Line Upgrade, a project involving the duplication of 8&nbsp;km of track between Dandenong and Cranbourne, a rebuilt [[Merinda Park railway station|Merinda Park station]], the construction of a new rail connection for the Port Rail Shuttle Network, and the removal of all remaining level crossings on the corridor.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=25 October 2022 |title=Cranbourne Line Upgrade community update – September 2019 |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/library/level-crossing-removal-project/rail/clu/fact-sheets/cranbourne-line-upgrade-community-update-september-2019 |access-date=26 December 2022 |website=Victoria’s Big Build |language=en}}</ref> Andrews argued that this project was required if an extension to Clyde was to be constructed.<ref name=":8" /> Opposition leader [[Matthew Guy]] instead promised that he would extend the Cranbourne line to [[Clyde railway station, Victoria|Clyde]] if he won the election.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Matthew Guy pledges $487m to extend Cranbourne train line to Clyde |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/matthew-guy-pledges-487m-extension-of-cranbourne-line-to-clyde/17ecd2f6-b80b-4f68-8532-33a53d4ec872 |access-date=26 December 2022 |website=www.9news.com.au|date=11 July 2018 }}</ref>

Again in the lead up to the [[2022 Victorian state election|2022 state election]], the City of Casey increased its campaign for the extension of the rail line to Clyde, including the construction of 3 new stations.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=Advocacy {{!}} City of Casey |url=https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/advocacy |access-date=15 January 2023 |website=www.casey.vic.gov.au}}</ref> The City of Casey proposal involved the construction of stations at [[Cranbourne East, Victoria|Cranbourne East]], [[Casey Fields]] (only proposed by the council), and Clyde.<ref name=":11" /> This proposal was supported again by opposition leader Matthew Guy, minus the station at Casey Fields.<ref>{{Cite web |title=City of Casey welcomes Clyde Rail Link election commitment {{!}} City of Casey |url=https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/news/city-of-casey-welcomes-clyde-rail-link-election-commitment |access-date=15 January 2023 |website=www.casey.vic.gov.au}}</ref> The incumbent [[Second Andrews ministry|Andrews government]] made no commitments to the Clyde rail extension, instead continuing construction on the Cranbourne Line Upgrade.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nsenduluka |first=Callum Godde and Mibenge |date=6 October 2022 |title=Vic premier vows full term if re-elected |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7931544/vic-premier-vows-full-term-if-re-elected/ |access-date=15 January 2023 |website=The Canberra Times |language=en-AU}}</ref> The 2022 state election resulted in another Labor victory, with the Andrews government pushing ahead with the Cranbourne Line Upgrade, with the extension to Clyde remaining stagnant ever since.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 State election results |url=https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/results/state-election-results/2022-state-election-results |access-date=15 January 2023 |website=www.vec.vic.gov.au |language=en}}</ref>

=== Level Crossing Removals ===
The [[Level Crossing Removal Project]] has announced the removal of all 15 remaining level crossings on the Cranbourne line, to be completed in stages from 2018 to 2025. All level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong were removed in 2018 as part of the [[Caulfield railway station|Caulfield]] to [[Dandenong railway station|Dandenong]] skyrail project.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 March 2018 |title=Caulfield to Dandenong skyrail nears completion |url=https://www.danielbowen.com/2018/03/19/cfd-dng-skyrail-nears-completion/ |access-date=11 December 2022 |website=Daniel Bowen}}</ref> This included the removal of nine level crossings and the reconstruction of five elevated stations along the corridor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Caulfield to Dandenong (Skyrail) {{!}} Level Crossing Removal |url=https://www.ecodynamics.com.au/projects/skyrail/ |access-date=11 December 2022 |website=Ecodynamics {{!}} Commercial Landscaping {{!}} Greening & Nurturing Our Communities}}</ref> The second phase of removals involves removing individual crossings along the corridor through a variety of methods by 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 July 2022 |title=Pakenham Level Crossing Removals One Step Closer |url=https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-07/220727%20-%20Pakenham%20Level%20Crossing%20Removals%20One%20Step%20Closer.pdf }}</ref> Some crossings have been removed through elevating the rail corridor, some by lowering or raising the road, with other crossings being removed by closing the crossing off from [[Vehicle|motor traffic]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cardinia Shire Council |title=LXRP – Level Crossing Removal Project in Cardinia Shire |url=https://www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/info/20056/major_projects/854/lxrp_-_level_crossing_removal_project_in_cardinia_shire |access-date=11 December 2022 |website=www.cardinia.vic.gov.au |archive-date=11 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211111914/https://www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/info/20056/major_projects/854/lxrp_-_level_crossing_removal_project_in_cardinia_shire |url-status=dead }}</ref> These projects will leave the entirety of the Cranbourne line level crossing free by 2025, with projects on the [[Sunbury railway line|Sunbury line]] leaving the entire Sunshine-Dandenong corridor crossing free by the opening of the Metro Tunnel in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Keane |first=Tom |date=6 January 2022 |title=Contact awarded for $844M Melbourne rail works |url=https://roadsonline.com.au/more-level-crossings-set-to-be-removed-in-pakenham-melbourne/ |access-date=11 December 2022 |website=Roads & Infrastructure Magazine}}</ref>

=== Cranbourne line upgrade ===
[[File:MerindaParkStationEntranceP1.jpg|thumb|Merinda Park station was rebuilt as part of the upgrade works]]
Announced in the lead up to the 2018 Victorian state election, the Cranbourne line would receive a $1 billion upgrade to coincide with the opening of the Metro Tunnel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |date=17 January 2023 |title=Cranbourne Line Upgrade |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/cranbourne-line-upgrade |access-date=19 January 2023 |website=Victoria’s Big Build |language=en}}</ref> The project is being delivered by the Level Crossing Removal Project, and will include:<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Cranbourne Line Upgrade |url=https://engage.vic.gov.au/lxrp-cranbourne-line-upgrade |access-date=31 December 2022 |website=Engage Victoria}}</ref>

* The removal of the four remaining level crossings (75% complete)
** Evans Road, Lyndhurst (complete)
** Greens Road, [[Dandenong South, Victoria|Dandenong South]] (complete)
** Camms Road, [[Cranbourne, Victoria|Cranbourne]] (complete)
** Webster Street, [[Dandenong, Victoria|Dandenong]] (gone by 2025)
* The duplication of {{convert|8|km|0}} of single track between Dandenong South and Cranbourne (complete)
* The installation of a second rail bridge at Abbotts Road and [[Eumemmerring Creek]] in Dandenong South (complete)
* The reconstruction of Merinda Park station (complete)
* The delivery of a new rail connection for the [[Port Rail Shuttle Network]] (underway)

In 2020, the level crossing at Evans Road in Lyndhurst was removed through the construction of a road bridge over the rail line. In early 2021, the first platform of the newly rebuilt [[Merinda Park railway station|Merinda Park station]] was opened, with the second platform opening a year later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Gabrielle |date=19 March 2021 |title=First Step for Second Track as Cranbourne Works Gather Pace |url=http://www.gabriellewilliams.com.au/media-releases/first-step-for-second-track-as-cranbourne-works-gather-pace/ |access-date=31 December 2022 |website=State Member for Dandenong |language=en-Au}}</ref> In February 2022, the second platform at Merinda Park was opened along with the completion of duplication works.<ref name=":13"/> After the duplication works, the line could now handle 10-minute frequencies during peak periods. As a result, the timetable was rewritten to allow for 50 extra Cranbourne services to operate every week.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Ray |date=14 February 2022 |title=Cranbourne line works ahead of schedule |url=https://www.railexpress.com.au/cranbourne-line-works-ahead-of-schedule/ |access-date=1 January 2023 |website=Rail Express |language=en-AU}}</ref> Alongside the duplication works, all level crossings on the line will be removed. The Cranbourne line is projected to become the first crossing-free line on the network, with the remaining two crossings and other upgrade works expected to be completed by 2025.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Arnott |first=William |date=22 February 2022 |title=Cranbourne Line Duplication finished ahead of schedule |url=https://www.insideconstruction.com.au/section/projects/cranbourne-line-duplication-finished-ahead-of-schedule/ |access-date=25 December 2022 |website=Inside Construction |language=en-US}}</ref>