The additional funding which was secured from the federal government will fund improved stabling near Ararat Station which will allow extra services to run. 

Signalling and track works will also be undertaken to provide extra space for the additional freight trains anticipated from the Murray Basin Rail Project in order to protect the V/Line commuter experience. 

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said as well as assisting commuters further down the line, the upgrades would also help to ease bottlenecks around Ballarat and Wendouree stations. 

“Victoria fought very hard to get the federal government to pay up what we were owed and we said we wanted to spend it on regional rail,” Ms Allan said.  “This will address the bottleneck around the centre of Ballarat which will improve reliability.” 

Works on stage two of the Line Upgrade are expected to begin in the second half of 2018 and will be completed by early 2020. 

The funding announcement comes after works on stage one of the $518 million Ballarat Line Upgrade began in late 2017.  

When completed in late 2019 the mammoth refurbishment will see second platforms added at Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and Wendouree stations, while the platform at Rockbank Station will also be extended. 

Three new passing loops will also be installed along the line to reduce congestion at peak times, while 18 kilometres of track will be duplicated between Deer Park West and Melton, paving the way for a future Metro line to Melton.