- Published:
- Saturday 27 August 2016
Major construction to remove nine dangerous and congested level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong will commence this week.
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan and Member for Oakleigh Steve Dimopoulos announced that piling works to lay the foundations would commence this week, along with work at Murrumbeena and Carnegie stations.
The first of two massive piling rigs has already been delivered to site at Murrumbeena Station, each weigh 140 tonnes.
Over the coming months, the piling rigs – with masts up to 30 metres tall – will install more than 1000 piles in the ground along the rail corridor in preparation for the arrival of the gantry cranes later this year.
Later this year the project’s gantry cranes will take shape to install 2,500 locally-manufactured segments of the new modern elevated line by moving back and forth in the air. This will allow for less disruption to commuters with trains being able to keep running underneath.
Murrumbeena and Carnegie stations will close temporarily from tonight for four weeks to ensure piling and station works take place safely.
This temporary closure will minimise later disruption for local commuters, traders and residents over the project’s construction.
The stations will close after the last train on Sunday 28 August and reopen in time for the first train on Monday 26 September after the construction of temporary stations. The temporary stations will remain open while construction is underway before the new stations are completed in 2018.
Cranbourne and Pakenham line trains will continue to run while the stations are closed. Commuters who use Murrumbeena and Carnegie stations will be able to access train replacement bus services from a number of stops during the station closures.
For more information visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“We’re getting on with the job of removing Melbourne’s worst level crossings. They’re not only dangerous, they cause congestion on our local roads and stop us running more trains on our busiest train line.”
“Local residents will see some short term construction impacts but will see new stations for commuters, open spaces for everyone to enjoy and less congestion on our roads.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Oakleigh Steve Dimopoulos
“While works are underway, we’re reminding locals that local businesses are open and encouraging the workforce to eat, shop and play at all of our wonderful local stores.”