Early work is underway on an accessibility upgrade at Ballarat Station that is set to make it easier for all station users to get public transport.
Crews will begin site establishment from Tuesday 14 January to prepare for the start of works later this month.
Plans to improve accessibility at Ballarat Station include installing a pedestrian overpass with a passenger lift and stairs to both platforms, a new ramp and stairs to the northern station entrance, lighting and tactile upgrades, and landscaping. The new overpass will open in 2026.
To ensure crews can work safely while minimising the impact on commuters, temporary fencing and safety barriers will be installed around the project area from Tuesday.
Work will start later this month on removing a section of fencing, concrete paving and a section of metal roof sheeting between the bus interchange and northern platform in preparation for the lift and stairs.
A section of the southern station building will be removed to prepare for the lift and stairs on the southern platform. Crews will also start relocating communications services in the project area.
Final designs for the new overpass, lifts and northern entrance were released in late 2024, and incorporated further design and architectural work and feedback from the community.
The updated designs reduce the visual impact of the new structure on the existing heritage station buildings without compromising the critical accessibility upgrades and were produced in consultation with Heritage Victoria and the Office of the Victorian Government Architect.
This will create a unique design for Ballarat Station with never-before-seen elevated views of the station clock tower and train hall and better visual connectivity and safety for station users.
Local buses will be moved to a temporary location on Lydiard Street for the duration of the project and a temporary site compound will be installed nearby at the Ebden Street Reserve car park.
For more information on the changes to the Ballarat Station precinct, including car parking and bus routes view the latest works notices.
V/Line did not then listen to the majority of feedback with people not agreeing to the proposed upgrade in that form since it would detract from the heritage aspects of the railway station.
V/Line is obligated to provide easy and accessible bus access from Platorm 1. What may I suggest would be your solution to this dilemma as going the long way around via Lydiard St. is hardly an option as the booms are likely operating when people alight from trains.