Level crossings on the Frankston Line, being removed as part of a Victorian State Government commitment, will be removed using a trench and without posing threat to local wetlands according to an environmental assessment.
The engineering designs presented by the Level Crossing Removal Authority in an Environment Effect Statement (EES) will minimise any impact of the work on the environment and manage groundwater flows during construction.
In the long term, careful and continued monitoring of the area will ensure any environmental impacts from lowering the rail line are minimal and can be managed effectively. The trench option will go ahead in Edithvale and Bonbeach.
Following planning and environmental approvals, works to remove the level crossings and build two stations will be completed by 2022.
Work in Edithvale and Bonbeach is part is part of the state government’s $2 billion investment on the Frankston line, which includes the removal of 13 level crossings and building ten new stations.
By the end of September, the Seaford Road level crossing will be gone for good and the road bridge across the Patterson River will be open to traffic.
Work on the $10 million revitalisation of Seaford will begin later this year, and geotechnical work has started in Carrum to support the removal of three level crossings, a new station, and a $50 million revitalisation of Carrum village.
The EES was authorised by Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, and publicly exhibited for consultation earlier this year.
An independent committee of planning and environment specialists reviewed the 248 submissions and sat for seven days in June 2018, hearing from environmental experts, engineers and community members before making recommendations to the minister.
Following the minister’s assessment, formal approvals for the projects will be sought including a set of environmental performance requirements that will ensure the environment is protected.
