Linking Victoria
# 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.

## Elements

Elements of the program included:

* 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.
* 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.
