Five dangerous and congested level crossings along the Frankston train line are to be removed ahead of schedule this year and three new stations opened by the end of 2021.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan said level crossings at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach would to be removed, with the project to see sections of the line lowered into trenches.
“The Swanpool Avenue, Chelsea Road and Argyle Avenue level crossings at Chelsea will now be fast-tracked ahead of their original 2025 completion date, joining two other crossings at Edithvale and Bonbeach previously announced as finishing early,” Ms Allan said.
“Boom gates at these sites can be down for 40 per cent of the morning peak, interrupting traffic flow for more than 27,000 drivers each day,” she said.
“From mid-year, work will ramp up across these sites when stations at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach close for demolition, making way for three brand new stations to be built.”
Ms Allan said trains would run express through the stations during a two-month closure of the Frankston line for the project’s major construction blitz.
The Minister said buses would replace trains between Mordialloc and Frankston/Stony Point during the construction and there would be temporary closures of level crossings.
“Further along the line, planning is progressing for the removal of two level crossings in Glen Huntly, with early works set to start this year,” she said.
“Meanwhile, work is continuing on the new multi-deck car park at Cheltenham, which will open mid-year,” Ms Allan said.
