Proposals for expansion of the Melbourne rail network are commonly presented by political parties, government agencies, industry organisations and public transport advocacy groups. The extensions proposed take a variety of forms: electrification of existing routes to incorporate them into the suburban rail system; reconstruction of former passenger rail lines along pre-existing easements; entirely new routes intended to serve new areas with heavy rail or provide alternative routes in congested areas; or track amplification along existing routes to provide segregation of services. Other proposals are for the construction of new or relocated stations on existing lines, to provide improved access to public transport services. Proposals which have been adopted as policy by the state government, and which are in the detailed planning or construction phases, are also listed in this article. History 1929 Metropolitan Town Planning Commission Plan The Metropolitan Town Planning Commission, established in 1922 by the Victorian state government, produced a report in 1929 that recommended a new underground railway in central Melbourne running via Exhibition and Victoria streets to reduce congestion at Finders Street station. The plan also proposed: A rail loop in Fishermans Bend A rail line to Doncaster via tunnel beneath Kew and Kew East A rail extension from Malvern East to Glen Waverley A bridge connecting Spencer Street station and the Port Melbourne and St Kilda lines 1940 Ashworth Improvement Plan A 1940 report by the Victorian Railways Chief Engineer for Ways and Works recommended a number of rail improvement works, including an underground city railway, a line to Doncaster via the Kew spur, and the connection of the Alamein line to the Glen Waverley line at Malvern East. 1954 Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Scheme Report A 1954 strategy released by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of Works recommended changes to Melbourne's land-use planning, an extensive network of freeways and a park system. It also recommended some expansions to the rail network, including an underground CBD rail line with three stations beneath Lonsdale Street. It also called for: A new rail loop in the industrial Fishermans Bend precinct with seven new stations to transport workers A new north–south rail link and bridge connecting Spencer Street station (now named Southern Cross) with the Port Melbourne line, with a new station in Southbank A branch of the Hurstbridge line from Alphington to East Preston to serve Northcote, Preston and Heidelberg, running alongside Darebin Creek A branch of the