A joint venture of Cimic Group’s UGL, Arup and Australian firm Decmil has been appointed as preferred tenderer by Rail Projects Victoria to improve rail services for the Australian state’s Gippsland Line.

The upgrade, costed at A$488m, includes second platforms and station amenity works at three stations along the line and reactivating the second platform at Traralgon, track duplication, level crossing upgrades for safety and reliability, improvements to signalling, train control systems and freight passing loops.

Rail Projects Victoria said the project will enable 40-minute off-peak frequency for trains between Traralgon and Melbourne, and more reliable services right along the Gippsland Line.

The joint venture, called VicConnect, will undertake early works on the project in the coming months, including site investigations, procurement, engineering and design.

The project also includes upgrades to drainage structures at Morwell River, upgrades to signalling and a Victorian-first trial of solar-powered wireless level crossing detection technology at Farrells Lane in Stratford.

The new wireless technology has the potential to reduce the costs and environmental impacts of upgrading level crossings and could be used on future rail projects across the state.

Completion of the upgrade is targeted for late 2022.