to Epping itself was reopened and electrified in 1964, with the remaining line dismantled in the 1970s. However, the right-of-way beyond Mernda is still in place, and is retained for a future railway extension. Extensions Proposals for the duplication of the line between Keon Park and Epping and an extension to Mernda have dated as far back as 1974. In 1983, Whittlesea Council submitted a submission to the Victorian Government, supporting the duplication of the line, and examining an extension to South Morang, and Mernda. Following the election of the Bracks Government in 1999, a promise was made to restore the service to South Morang, along the former right-of-way by 2003, however no work started at that time. In 2003, a Trainlink bus service was introduced from Epping to South Morang, meeting every train, but the 2005 Meeting Our Transport Challenges plan postponed construction of the railway, until 2021. The restoration of the railway to Mernda is also identified in the Strategic Transportation Study, undertaken by the City of Whittlesea in 2002. In the 2008 State Budget, A$10 million was earmarked for design work on the four kilometre extension, in addition to design work for duplication between Keon Park and Epping stations. South Morang extension On 1 May 2009, the State Government announced that they had committed $562.3 million in the 2009 State Budget, for the extension of the line to South Morang, covering capital and construction works. The announcement said that tenders would be called later that year, with construction to start in 2010 and be completed by 2013. Work included duplication of the existing single track between Keon Park and Epping, and the construction of of new double track from Epping to South Morang. No level crossings exist on the new section of track, with road overpasses provided at Cooper Street, Pindari Avenue and Civic Drive. The new South Morang station has parking for 450 cars. Major construction on the extension of the Epping railway line commenced in October 2010. The South Morang Rail Extension Project involved of rail track duplication, between Keon Park and Epping, a rebuilt Thomastown station, with a second platform and a pedestrian overpass, upgrade and expansion of the Epping train maintenance facility, including new stabling roads, relocation of the existing Epping railway station to the north of Cooper Street, of new double rail tracks from Epping to South Morang, and a new railway