Major works are well underway to remove the dangerous and congested level crossings at Union Road, Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert and build the new Union Station. The boom gates will be gone and the new station open in 2023.

In response to community feedback, we designed the station to fit in with the surrounds, with layered canopies and soft muted colours inspired by the leafy green feel and traditional buildings of the area.

New open spaces, trees and landscaping will complement the new station. The project includes new landscaping around the station entrances at Montrose Street, Lorne Parade Reserve and Mont Albert Road, with a new heritage plaza at Mont Albert.

Key features

• a safer, more accessible station
• premium facilities including a kiosk, toilets and waiting areas
• new pedestrian and cycling connections
• more open space and a new playground in Lorne Parade Reserve
• a modern and safe passenger car park
• a sustainable station precinct.

New station features and layout

The new premium station features two concourses, one at Surrey Hills and another at Mont Albert, with four separate entrances in total.

The concourses are joined by one island platform and one standalone platform that sit within the rail trench.

We’ve designed the new station to be open and inviting but also practical, with safe and easy access, modern facilities, and better connections to nearby shopping precincts and local services.

The two upgraded car parks at Surrey Hills will feature better layouts, with improved lighting and CCTV, and access to the main station concourse via stairs and ramps.

The platforms are accessible from either end via covered stairs or lifts from the concourse, with canopies, covered seating areas and help points.

Sustainability features

The new station has been designed to be energy efficient and sustainable, with a 65kW solar power system and two 5000L water tanks to store water collected from the station canopies for use in toilets and cleaning.

We’ll minimise water consumption in the station precinct by using efficient fixtures, capturing and storing rainwater for reuse, and planting drought resilient plants.

Connection

We’re creating paths to provide more ways for locals to get to the new station, including a path for pedestrians and cyclists. Bike parking will be located at both concourses and a new bike storage facility will provide additional safe and secure storage at Surrey Hills.

New bus stops located on Union Road and Mont Albert Road will increase connectivity for commuters travelling to and from the new station. There will be separate drop-off areas for better passenger access via Montrose Street, Windsor Crescent and Mont Albert Road.

The open layout of the concourses will allow for north–south connection through unpaid areas, allowing commuters to cross the rail line safely at both Mont Albert and Surrey Hills.

Safety

Modern lighting throughout the concourse, car park and station platforms provides an increase in safety, as will CCTV and Protective Services Officer (PSO) facilities. The station will be staffed from first to last train and the open station layout design provides clear lines of sight through concourses to station entrances and local streets.

At Surrey Hills, the pod style building arrangement allows for direct line of sight throughout the concourse and into Lorne Parade Reserve, for improved safety.

Facilities

Each concourse is accessible via entry stairs and ramps and commuters can then use stairs or lifts from the concourse to access station platforms. Station lifts are connected to an emergency power supply that enables the lifts to continue operating during the event of a power outage or emergency.

Myki ticket machines, toilets, payphones, and bike parking are available at both Surrey Hills and Mont Albert entrances.

The Surrey Hills entrance is larger and has some additional facilities, including an enclosed waiting room, ticket office and a kiosk that overlooks Lorne Parade Reserve.

Mont Albert Road pick up and drop-off area

The drop-off area at Mont Albert Road has been designed to provide a welcoming green space and a convenient, accessible drop-off point.  In response to community feedback, we’ve made the area more convenient for commuters and added a dedicated drop-off space for people with a disability.

The space includes:

• new landscaping with garden beds and waiting areas with sheltered seating
• an improved drop-off area that allows commuters to be dropped off closer to the walkway into the station entrance
• a dedicated drop-off area for people with a disability, with more space to manoeuvre wheelchairs and other mobility aids.

Project timeline

Early 2021

• First phase of community consultation completed

Mid 2021

• Updated designs released
• Further community engagement
• Design enhancements released
• Contract award announced
• Early works begin

Early 2022

• Major construction begins
• Final designs released

2023

• Level crossings gone for good
• New station open

Timeline subject to change.