Works to remove all level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong and to rebuild Murrumbeena and Carnegie stations in Melbourne are set to begin.
Murrumbeena and Carnegie stations will close temporarily from the end of August 2016 to ensure the next phase of work takes place safely, which includes service relocations and piling works.
This approach will ensure the stations are closed for less time and will minimise disruptions for local commuters and residents in the long term.
“We’re getting on with transforming Melbourne’s busiest rail corridor to ensure people spend less time on the road, and more time at home with their loved ones,” Victorian Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said.
“We understand these works will make it harder for locals to get around in the short-term, but once these crossings are gone, we’ll be able to run more trains and make our roads safer and less congested.”
The stations will close after the last train on Sunday 28 August 2016 and will reopen in time for the first train on Monday 26 September 2016, following the construction of temporary stations.
This will allow the station to remain open while construction is underway. The new stations are due to be completed in 2018.
In good news for the community, characteristic parts of the buildings will now be removed and retained, and incorporated into the designs of the new station precinct.
Materials that are in good condition, including the entrances, elements from the ticketing offices, and the steel trusses and rooves on the platforms, will be reused in the rail corridor or new precinct.
“These stations are more than just places to catch the train, they have a certain character that resonates with our community. That’s why the new station precinct designs will reflect our local area’s history,” Victorian Member for Oakleigh Steve Dimopoulos said.
The Community Open Space Expert Panel – overseeing plans for Melbourne’s newest parkland along the Caulfield to Dandenong rail corridor – has been working with the project team to find ways to incorporate elements of the existing stations into the final design.
The panel has been looking in detail at the open space created around the new stations and has already made a number of suggestions, including how the open space and station precincts can be designed to reflect the village feel of the existing precincts at Carnegie and Murrumbeena.
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.
Nearby businesses will remain open during the station closures and the community is encouraged to continue shopping locally to support local businesses. A second closure of Carnegie Station will be required from early November 2016 to complete piling and foundation works.
