- Published:
- Sunday 17 January 2016
Trains are now stopping at the brand new Gardiner Station, delivered by the Andrews Labor Government as part of the project to remove the dangerous and congested level crossing on Burke Road in Glen Iris.
The new station is far safer, more accessible and easier to use that the old station, with platforms below street level meeting trains that now run underneath Burke Road without ever disrupting the traffic above.
The new station also better connects to Route 72 tram services, which now arrive and depart from a single level access tram stop directly in front of the station.
Finishing touches on the station precinct will take place over the next few months, including landscaping, and rebuilding the station car park with as many spaces as before works began.
The new Gardiner Station is one of many brand new stations across Melbourne that are being delivered as part of the Level Crossing Removal Project.
Bentleigh, Ormond, and McKinnon stations will be completely rebuilt as part of this package of level crossing removals, and St Albans, Ginifer and Heatherdale stations will be rebuilt as part of separate package of works, which also includes an upgrade to Blackburn Station.
The opening of the new Gardiner Station follows last week’s historic removal of the Burke Road boom gates – opening up Burke Road for the first time.
These boom gates were down for up to 40 minutes between 7:00am-9:00am at Burke Road – a third of the morning peak – causing queues onto the Monash Freeway.
Removing the boom gates has made it quicker, easier and safer for motorists, commuters, and locals to get to work, school and back home again at the end of the day, safer and sooner.
For more information about how the Labor Government is reducing congestion, improving safety, and making public transport better, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for Public Transport Luke Donnellan
“The Andrews Labor Government’s removal of 50 dangerous and congested level crossings is not only improving safety and reducing congestion on our roads, it’s transforming train stations across Melbourne.”
“The new Gardiner Station is safer, more accessible and better connected for the 1,500 people who use it every day.”
“It’s the first of many stations we will rebuild through the Level Crossing Removal Program, which will reduce congestion, create space to run more trains, and make local streets safer.”
“These congested death-traps have held up too many people and risked too many lives for too long. They need to go and we’re getting on with it.”