Designs for two new Pakenham and East Pakenham stations have been revealed as part of a project to extend the metropolitan rail track and build in a growing area of Melbourne.
The fast-tracked project will remove level crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road in Pakenham, and create the equivalent of six MCGs of new open space for locals to enjoy.
The Pakenham Level Crossing Removal Project is part of a $15 billion investment to upgrade the Pakenham line, which will be boom gate free by 2025.
Featuring 7,200 homes, the new suburb will create 1,300 additional jobs and bring more than $1 billion to the Victorian economy over the coming years.
This is in addition to the 750 jobs that will be created as part of construction.
With four tracks – including dedicated bypass tracks – the new East Pakenham Station will remove a major V/Line and Metro trains bottleneck, slashing congestion and boosting reliability for regional and metropolitan passengers.
The new premium Pakenham Station will rejuvenate the busy pedestrian and shopping precinct, and create safer and more direct links between public transport, the town centre and additional parking.
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, said, “These are some of the fastest growing suburbs in Victoria. The new stations at Pakenham and East Pakenham will ensure we have the right infrastructure in place at the right time to serve people in these booming communities.”
With the level crossing at nearby Cardinia Road already gone, the removal of all level crossings in Pakenham will slash travel times and transform the way locals move around their community.
Renowned architecture firm, Genton, is working to develop the modern stations, with the design of Pakenham Station reflecting the character of the suburb.
A new station forecourt, bus interchange and two dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones will provide easier and safer access to the spacious, light-filled station.
Lifts and stairs will take passengers to two platforms for regional and metropolitan trains, with upgraded modern facilities and a climate-controlled waiting room at street level.
An additional 450 car parking spaces will be built at Pakenham Station, as well as secure bike storage and new walking and cycling paths alongside the rail line.
Building a 2.5km rail bridge over McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road will create around six MCGs worth of new open space and locals are invited to have their say on these new areas.
Works to remove these three level crossings will begin in late 2021 with the level crossings gone in 2023/2024.
The new stations and open space will be ready for locals to enjoy in 2024.
Another five crossing removals were recently announced for the Pakenham line – at Webb Street in Narre Warren, Station St and Brunt Road in Beaconsfield, Station Street in Officer and Progress Street in South Dandenong.
Together with the Metro Tunnel, bigger trains and next-generation high-capacity signalling, the upgrades will make room for 121,000 extra peak hour passengers each week.
Locals can have their say on the new stations at www.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.
