$14.3m for Ballarat rail line upgrade

The Victorian government says $14.3 million will be allocated in its state budget to upgrade a section of the Ballarat rail line.

A new kilometre-long passing loop will be built at Rowsley near Ballan station, which also gets a revamp.

"At present, trains cannot pass one another between Parwan and Bank Box Loops," Victorian Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder said on Saturday.

"With the new loop, trains will be able to pass in this section, improving reliability along the whole Ballarat corridor."

Another 45 free commuter parking spaces will be added to the station and coach access will be improved.

The 2011/12 Victorian Budget set aside $700,000 to plan the new loop, taking the total allocation for these works to $15 million.

The 2014/15 Victorian Budget will be unveiled on May 6.