Three more congested and dangerous level crossings on the Frankston line are going to be removed and two new stations are going to be built.
As announced by Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan, the State Government will be removing three level crossings by lowering the Frankston line under Charman Road and Park Road in Cheltenham as well as at Balcombe Road in Mentone.
“These dangerous level crossings clog streets and put lives at risk. We promised to get rid of them and we’re getting on with it.
“The expanded project will also remove the Park Road crossing where the boom gates are down for more than a third of the morning peak – causing disruption, frustration and delays for thousands of motorists every day,” the Minister said.
As part of this project, Cheltenham and Mentone Stations will be completely rebuilt to feature platform levels below the ground.
Expert technical investigations as well as extensive community consultation resulted to the decision to lower the rail line, which was the most appropriate solution for the said locations.
These three level crossings are some of the State’s most congested and removing them will help improve traffic flow in the area as well as improve safety for the bayside communities.
Reinstatement of the third track at Cheltenham Station will also be included in this project and the third track will be extended to connect with the main line which will create more space for more trains, more often on the Frankston line.
Detailed design works and local community consultation will continue through the first half of 2017 and tenders for the project to be put out by the end of the year.
Construction is expected to commence by the end of 2018.
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Source: Premier of Victoria and Level Crossing Removal Authority