- Published:
- Sunday 7 February 2016
The Andrews Labor Government has unveiled the design to remove the nine dangerous and congested level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong by elevating sections of the Cranbourne-Pakenham line and transforming Melbourne’s busiest rail corridor into public open space.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today released designs for the $1.6 billion project to remove every level crossing between the Caulfield and Dandenong.
These level crossings are Melbourne’s worst – with some boom gates down for more than 87 minutes in the morning peak. Removing them will slash congestion, improve safety and allow more trains to run.
The project includes five new stations to be built at Carnegie, Murrumbeena, Hughesdale, Clayton and Noble Park, and upgraded signalling and power along the corridor.
The innovative design centres on three sections of modern elevated rail, which will create 225,000 square metres – the equivalent of 11 MCGs – of community open space for new parks, playgrounds, sporting facilities, car parking and a range of other uses that will be chosen by locals.
This modern design built over the existing rail line will also spare passengers and drivers years of disruption during construction. The majority of the work can be completed with trains and roads running normally.
Expert acoustic modelling shows that raising the line in sections will reduce rail noise at the street level.
Thirty platforms along the Cranbourne Pakenham line will be lengthened to support 37 high-capacity metropolitan trains. The combined package will create space for 11,000 extra passengers in peak hour.
Community consultation has been ongoing since April, with more than 1,500 pieces of feedback informing the designs released today.
The next phase of consultation will begin immediately, with the project team out speaking to thousands of locals about the designs, and giving the community a say on what they want to use their new open space for.
The Caulfield to Dandenong package will create more than 2,000 jobs and be delivered by a consortium including CPB Contractors and Lend Lease. Construction will begin this year, and be completed in 2018.
To see the designs and to have your say about the new open space, visit www.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window).
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Every single level crossing between Caulfield and Dandenong will become history.”
“This tired and ugly rail corridor will become one of Melbourne’s largest community open spaces, with room for parks, playgrounds, netball courts and thousands of new car parks.”
“As a local, I look forward to taking my kids to enjoy this brand new and beautiful open space.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“Raising the rail line means we can get rid of these nightmare level crossings with less disruption and be left with new open space that’s the size of 11 MCGs. It’s a win-win.”
“Level crossings hold up traffic, slow down the train system and put lives at risk. They’ve got to go.”