New concept designs released for VIC Suburban Rail Loop Monash Station

Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) – Victoria’s largest infrastructure investment to date – is progressing well with the release of new concept designs for the future underground station at Monash. 

The concept design features an inviting public space that surrounds the station entrance that leads to a “light-filled concourse” with screen doors along the platform to improve passenger safety. 

The underground station at Monash is going to be delivered as part SRL East and will be located north of Monash University between Normanby and Ferntree Gully roads. A southern entrance is also proposed for the new station to provide access to Monash University along with a northern entrance to connect to the industrial and business precinct. 

Artist impression of Monash Station concourse (source: Suburban Rail Loop)

The new station, along with a bus interchange and upgraded local roads, will improve access to the area’s world-class education, health and research facilities as well as provide vital transport connections to the Monash National Employment and Innovation Cluster (NEIC). 

“SRL includes strategic land planning and development initiatives in SRL Precincts that will attract and support clusters of new businesses and deliver better local services and additional housing. 

“SRL will open up exciting prospects for new recreation spaces and community facilities, as well as improved walking and cycling links that will make Monash an even more attractive and vibrant place to study, work and visit. The station will feature plenty of bike parking and storage to support those cycling to and from the station,” according to a statement from Suburban Rail Loop. 

Artist impression of Monash Station platform (source: Suburban Rail Loop)

Suburban Rail Loop is comprised of three sections, namely: 

• SRL East – Cheltenham to Box Hill: features 26 kilometres of twin tunnels and six underground stations that connects some of Melbourne’s fastest growing health, education and employment centres. 
• SRL North – Box Hill to Melbourne Airport: currently in the early planning and development stages 
• SRL West – Melbourne Airport to Werribee: will be integrated to other transport projects in the west, including Metro Tunnel, Melbourne Airport Rail and the Western Rail Plan and connect to the Sunshine transport hub 

SRL East – estimated to cost between $30 billion to $34.5 billion over 14 years – is expected to commence construction in 2022 and be operational by 2035. On the other hand, opportunities for construction on SRL North is set to get underway while SRL East is being delivered. 

Project map (source: Suburban Rail Loop)

When operational, SRL East will cut travel times as well as deliver benefits to Monash. This includes travel time savings of an average of 40 minutes on a one-way trip from Monash to Cheltenham and about 170 minutes on return trips from Bundoora to Monash University with both SRL East and North. 

The Suburban Rail Loop project will deliver a new 90-kilometre rail line and stations in key employment, health, education and retail centres, transforming the region’s transport system while delivering significant social benefits for all Victorians for decades. 

In August, the full Business and Investment Case was released and it highlighted how Suburban Rail Loop will deliver more jobs as well as better services and access to housing as the State’s population continue to grow. 

You can read more about the Business and Investment Case release here. 

Suburban Rail Loop is expected to support 24,000 jobs across Victoria and stimulate $58.7 billion in economic, social and environmental benefits to the State. 

Source: Suburban Rail Loop (1, 2, 3); The Urban Developer