Rowville extention - Two proposed routes.

[Michael Kurkowski <mk@netstra.com.au>]

Hi All,

I have been encouraged to post this by a good friend of mine who works in 
politics, and is also a member of the PTUA. It describes two routes that 
can be used for a rail extention to Rowville (Victoria). As a matter of 
personal interest as well, I would like to see opinions on each route and 
how they would be achieved. 

The person, unlike most politicians uses public transport himself and sees 
a need for many improvements, being a light rail service to Doncaster, 
electrification to Craigieburn and the usual others...

ROUTE 1 - Extend Glen Waverley line
-----------------------------------
This route would depart at Glen Waverley station going underground to the 
end of the residential area near Dandenong Creek. Bridge over Dandenong 
Creek, and run along the creek until Rowville is reached. The estimated 
cost of this route (aparently, according to the future developers of the 
Scoresby Freeway) is $330mil. There are also a number if implications 
involved, those being:

a) Residents concern over tunneling under their houses.
b) Greenies concerned over a bridge to go over the Dandenong creek, 
claiming that it will do damage to that area. 

ROUTE 2 - Branch the line off, from Huntingdale.
------------------------------------------------
This route would branch off the Dandenong line at North Road, and continue 
between North Road and Wellington Road until Rowville. According to sources 
there is already enough room between Wellington Road for a double track. 
This route would also service Monash University and have a lower 
environmental impact. At major intersections, the railway will either go 
under or over, most likely under. The estimated cost for this route is 
$100mil.

End.

In my opinion, both routes have their advantages, one very clear advantage 
of route 2, being going straight past Monash University. I however would 
rather see the extention of the Glen Waverley line (under houses, over 
creek) despite all the negatives listed above. This route I believe can be 
made faster, and will impose less congestion on the Dandenong line 
(especially between Caulfield and South Yarra) which I would assume is 
already close to capacity.

How would everyone here rather see it? Also mention negatives/positives 
that would back up your claims.

thanks,
Michael.