Replanting begins in Blackburn on schools' tree day

Over 17,000 plants and shrubs and approximately 230 trees will be planted throughout Blackburn as part of the Level Crossing Removal Project's revegetation plan.

Students at St Thomas the Apostle Primary School began the tree planting project on Schools' Tree Day that will see thousands of plants growing along the Blackburn rail corridor.

The students planted native trees in a large outdoor planter box, with the help of our environmental officers.

Planning for the revegetation and landscaping program is continuing and we are working with independent arborists to understand the impacts construction is having on local vegetation – trees, plants and shrubs throughout the project area. Check out the video about this on our YouTube channel.

Works during September

• Works began in mid August to clear and prepare the area along South Parade for the installation of the extensive new drainage system which will help flood-proof the area. Works will continue in September including relocation of the 5 palm trees near the underpass entrance.
• Sewer relocation works will involve creation of a new easement and connections from the rail line to corner of Albert Street and the Railway Parade.
• To help safe-guard the new rail cutting against flooding, a pump-station will be installed on the south-eastern corner of the intersection. Installation of this vital piece of infrastructure must be done in and around the piling, retaining wall construction and new drainage works at the same location. This location is also one of the key access points to the work site, so the works must be very carefully and strategically coordinated.
• Piling works continue along both sides of the rail corridor between Blackburn Station and Cottage Street.
• The pedestrian crossing at Cottage Street/Morton Park will close during September. This is so we can pile and construct the base and cut-off walls for the new pedestrian bridge.
• Activity will continue along the south corridor in September with works constructing capping beams and the supporting base (called plinths).
• The pedestrian crossing at Oliver Avenue reopened in late August. Works will continue throughout September on the new bridge supports and other structural elements.
• Works will start on the new drainage system that will stretch from the north side of the corridor, underneath the tracks and into Oliver Avenue. A technique called pipe-jacking will be used to install the system.

Drainage on South Parade

To help safe-guard the Blackburn Village precinct and pedestrian underpass from future flooding events, a substantial upgrade of the drainage system is being done. Three drainage pipes that are up to 1.3 metres in diameter are needed to capture and remove the run-off water from the northern side o the rail corridor. To do this, we first have to clear the area. For a while this means South Parade will be a major construction site. Once construction is complete, we will be replanting and landscaping. Plans include relocation of the existing palm trees and planting approximately 60 new trees in South Parade.

Capping beams and plinths

It takes more than just installing piles to build the new rail cutting. Once the piles are in place, retaining walls, capping beams and supporting bases called plinths must be constructed. Capping beams distribute the load between the piles and prevent displacement by reinforcing the eventual rail cutting walls. After the major excavation is carried out, during the works planned for late December to January, reinforcement mesh is put in place. A method called shotcreting is then used where concrete is sprayed at a high pressure onto the mesh. This forms the rail cutting wall.

Pipe-jacking

Pipe jacking is a trenchless method for installing pipes such as drainage or sewer pipes underground or under buildings. The benefit of pipe-jacking is that there is no need for a large amount of excavation or trenching, just a shaft hole from which the boring is done.

Night works

From time to time, night time work is required within the rail corridor. To remove the level crossing, we need access to signal boxes in the rail corridor and this work can only be carried out when trains are not in operation.

As a result, occasional overnight signalling work will take place between August and December 2016. Low noise levels will occur so won't disturb neighbouring residents.

However, should planned works be noisier than expected, residents will be advised.

September weekend works

Friday 9 September to Monday 12 September

Time to put a reminder in your diary about some upcoming works.

From 8pm Friday 9 September until 5am, Monday 12 September we will be working 24 hours a day.

Blackburn Road will be closed at the level crossing and South Parade will be closed between Gardenia Street and Blackburn Road, including on Monday. Access to parking in front of the shops in that section will be opened up on Monday.

The works will mean that buses will replace trains on the Belgrave/ Lilydale line between Box Hill and Ringwood station after 8.45pm Friday 9 September until the last service on Sunday 11 September. Normal train services will resume on Monday 12 September.

Note: works may be carried out on the Belgrave/Lilydale line by other projects, unplanned works, or as part of regular maintenance and renewal programs.

Customers are encouraged to plan their journey ahead. For journey planning and service information visit PTV or call 1800 800 007 (6am to midnight daily).

During the weekend we will be:

• piling on South Parade and at Blackburn Road
• piling in the rail corridor between Blackburn Road and Cottage Street
• installing drainage on South Parade, which will mean the closure of the South Parade entrance/exit to the station underpass
• removing the canopies and the public toilet on South Parade
• constructing part of the new pedestrian bridges at Cottage Street and Oliver Avenue.

We understand that at times our work can be dusty and we do monitor dust levels throughout our works. The team encourages you to contact us if you have any concerns about dust impacts in your property.