A contract has been awarded to remove a dangerous and congested level crossing in Melbourne, with a new train station, rail bridge and transport hub to be built in its place.
An alliance comprising McConnell Dowell, Arup, Mott MacDonald, Metro Trains Melbourne, V/Line and the Level Crossing Removal Project will deliver the $234 million project.
The project will remove the crossing at Mt Derrimut Road in Deer Park. Final designs have been unveiled for the project, a year ahead of schedule.
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, said, “This dangerous level crossing has impacted people, trains and traffic due to collisions and near misses, and we’re thrilled it’s now on the way to being gone for good.”
Final designs illustrate the level crossing will be removed at Mt Derrimut Road by building a 1.2km elevated rail bridge over the road, and the project will also build a new Deer Park station, as well as a new transport hub giving commuters access to buses, trains and car parking.
Crews have already kicked off early works, including ground testing and assessments, with further activity increasing throughout March.
The transport hub will feature a new train station including a multi-bay bus interchange, two spacious landscaped forecourts, rooftop gardens, a secure Parkiteer bike cage and bike hoops, as well as 150 new and upgraded car parking spaces as part of the Car Parks for Commuters program.
The new Deer Park Station will include pick-up and drop-off zones on both sides of the rail line, two accessible, elevated platforms with lifts, ramps and stairs, a new air-conditioned waiting room, as well as pathways, lighting and security cameras throughout the precinct.
A new pedestrian connection will link suburbs on both sides of the rail line, providing access to new residential areas in Derrimut, as well as schools, parks and healthcare services.
With bike storage increased from eight to 78 spaces, better connections between different modes of transport, and increased commuter car parking, the hub will improve connectivity and maximise transport links for passengers.
Removing this level crossing will ease delays for the 23,000 vehicles that pass through each day. The boom gates at Mt Derrimut Road can be down for up to 60 per cent of the morning peak, causing significant traffic delays while multiple trains pass on the Geelong and Ballarat lines.
“We’ll also deliver a brand new station – and continue to remove the level crossings at Robinsons Road in Deer Park, and Fitzgerald Road in Ardeer level crossings, which will make these suburbs level crossing free, slashing travel times,” Ms Allan said.
These three level crossings will be gone in the area by 2024, making the Geelong and Ballarat lines level crossing free between Deer Park and the city.
