Works have commenced to remove three level crossings - at Charman and Park roads in Cheltenham and Balcombe Road in Mentone - as well as build two new stations in Cheltenham and Mentone in Victoria.
Starting from 20 March until the 27th, buses will be replacing the trains between Moorabbin and Mordialloc during weekdays to allow works to ramp up and this is being extended between Moorabbin and Frankston on the weekend and some evenings.
Both the existing Cheltenham and Mentone stations will also close until the new stations open in mid-2020. During the closure, trains will run express through the stations and shuttle buses will be in service between Southland and Parkdale stations.
The works are going to be undertaken with strict protocols to help manage the COVID-19 pandemic and provide job security for workers. This will also ensure the delivery of a better train network for Victorians will continue.
In addition, increased cleaning will be implemented across the State’s public transport network to help fight the spread of COVID-19. This will include nightly sanitation of all trains, trams and buses – including wiping down surfaces that are frequently touched and spraying with disinfectant. Enhanced cleaning is going to be done as well during bus layovers at major interchanges.
Commuters are reminded to always practice good hygiene on public transport as well as plan your travel during less busy times and stay at home if unwell.
The extra precautions are put in place to keep workers safe, which ensure critical works on the project are completed quickly to get services at the two train stations back online as soon as possible.
During the week-long shutdown, the construction team will undertake piling, service relocation and other vital works to prepare for a two-month closure later this year.
Major construction is anticipated to begin in 24 May and will take about eight weeks to complete. Works will include digging out rail trenches and building the two new stations. During this time, buses will replace train services between Moorabbin and Mordialloc.
The new Mentone Station is expected to open in mid-July, once train services resume on the Frankston Line. The new Cheltenham Station, on the other hand, is set to open in August.
These works are part of the State Government’s $3 billion investment to upgrade the Frankston Line.
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Source: Premier of Victoria; Level Crossing Removal Project (1, 2); Inside Construction
