Works get underway to get Frankston Line level crossing free & back to City Loop

The Victorian Government is forging ahead with a huge program of works that will enable more trains to run on the Frankston Line as well as return it to the City Loop once Metro Tunnel opens and make the line level crossing free. 

Two level crossings are now being removed at Warrigal Road, Menton and Parkers Road, Parkdale by replacing them with a rail bridge over the road. Major works will also deliver a new Parkdale Station along with two MCGs of open space. 

Construction is well underway on a temporary rail track that will allow the Frankston Line to remain operational while the new rail bridge is being built. Trains are expected to start running on the temporary track later this year. 

Buses will replace trains on sections of the Frankston Line from late October to early November while the temporary track is laid out. Local road closures will also be observed during this period. 

“We’re removing 27 level crossings and building 17 new stations to prepare the Frankston Line to return to the City Loop when the Metro Tunnel opens a year ahead of schedule in 2025, allowing more trains to run more often,” Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said. 

From late October, the existing Parkdale Station will be closed to allow crews to carry out the construction of the new station that is set to open to passengers in 2024 – a year ahead of schedule. The new Parkdale Station is going to be the 13th new station the State Government has built on the Frankston Line. 

Early concept design for Mordialloc Station (source: Engage Victoria)

In addition, Mordialloc is also a step closer to being level crossing free as early designs for a new elevated rail and a new Mordialloc Station precinct are released. 

The future Mordialloc elevated station will remain at the heart of the area, being in close proximity to shops and cafes with the new station having two entrances at McDonald Street. 

The local community is encouraged to have their say on the early designs for the project. Face-to-face as well as online consultation sessions will be held this month. For more information on the consultation sessions, you can check the project’s page on Engage Victoria here. 

“We’re not wasting a moment getting rid of level crossings in Parkdale and Mordialloc – and brand-new stations for these suburbs really will transform the way locals live, work and travel,” Member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson said. 

Project overview at Mordialloc (source: Engage Victoria)

Further down the Frankston Line, the train stabling yard at Kananook will be upgraded to double its capacity to include space for 21 trains. This will also allow Frankston Line trains to return to the City Loop when the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025. 

“Upgrading the Kananook train stabling yard will create more than 100 jobs during construction and deliver another 50 new jobs to the area once the project is complete, bringing real benefits to so many people across our city,” Member for Frankston Paul Edbrooke said. 

By getting trains to run the City Loop, passengers on the Frankston Line will have access to all of Melbourne’s CBD, connecting to employment, entertainment and education without the need to change trains at Richmond or Flinders Street stations. Passengers who wish to travel to the new Metro Tunnel, however, can change trains at Caulfield. 

Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Victoria’s Big Build (1, 2, 3); Engage Victoria