Contract awarded, work starting

We’re removing the dangerous and congested level crossings at Union Road, Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert by lowering the tracks and building a new, safer station with better facilities and more services.

A contract has been awarded and work to remove the dangerous level crossings and build the new station can now get underway. Some early works have already begun, and between now and the end of 2021 we'll start setting up our site facilities for construction workers and begin moving underground services that would otherwise be in the way when we excavate the rail trench.

Early works also include vegetation removal along the rail corridor and installing site fencing. Major construction will commence in 2022, with the main trench excavation in 2023.

More open space and enhanced design

We’ll create more open space, plant more trees and a heritage plaza at the end of Hamilton Street that will become the new home for the historic Mont Albert Station building. Combined with existing plans for open spaces at Union Road and Mont Albert Road, this design will mean more open space and trees for the community to enjoy.

The new station will open, and the boom gates will be gone for good in 2023.

Enhanced design features will include:

• A heritage plaza in Mont Albert, creating a new home for the historic Mont Albert station building and new open space
• A new entrance from Montrose Street, including a landscaped pocket park
• More open space and more trees

Better connections into the Surrey Hills entrance

The voluntary purchase of 2 properties on Montrose Street has provided the opportunity to enhance the design of the Surrey Hills entrance to the new station.

The enhancements include:

• a new entrance on Montrose Street providing better access into the station and through to Lorne Parade Reserve
• new open space and landscaping with additional trees and shrubs that improve the outlook for nearby residents north of the station
• gently sloping paths and ramps into the station, both from the new Montrose Street entrance and from the station car park
• an additional drop-off area on Montrose Street, making it easier to get to the new station and discouraging informal drop-offs in local streets.

As we finalise the station designs, we will complete detailed traffic modelling to better understand traffic movements around the new station and consider whether other changes may be required. Any proposed changes to local traffic conditions will be subject to consultation with local residents and council.

Thanks for your feedback on finishing touches

We received hundreds of responses to our recent design survey which will help shape the final design elements of Lorne Parade Reserve including play space, landscaping, colours and materials, and public art within the station precinct. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback. Feedback from the community will inform further refinements to the designs over the coming months. The final designs will be released in 2022.

Mont Albert heritage plaza

Following community consultation and further technical work, we're widening the planned pedestrian bridge between Beresford Street and the Hamilton Street shopping village to create a home for the historic Mont Albert Station building, close to its original position.

The station building will be removed during construction, before being returned to the plaza and fully restored, ready to be given a new life as a cafe or other similar use.

On the Hamilton Street side, the building will provide a focal point for the shopping village and a meeting place for the community. The building will also be surrounded by raised brick planters that double as seating.

On the Beresford Street side, we will plant trees, shrubs and greenery alongside the red brick pathways, integrating the bridge with the local streetscape so that it blends with the surrounds.

Mont Albert station entrance

Early works and construction

The alliance, in partnership with the Level Crossing Removal Project, will oversee the $631 million works to remove the level crossings and deliver the new station, new open spaces and a rejuvenated Lorne Parade Reserve.

Some early works on utility services have already begun and in the lead up to major construction, additional activities will include:

• setting up site storage and fencing off work areas to keep our workforce and the public safe
• removing vegetation that will be in the path of the new infrastructure
• installing temporary facilities for workers
• relocating utility services that will be in the way of the major works, including water, drainage, and sewer pipes as well as some power lines.

Residents and businesses in the local area will receive more details ahead of any works. To build the trench, we’ll need excavators, trucks and other types of machinery to remove more than 200,000 cubic metres of soil and debris. That’s equivalent of 80 Olympic size swimming pools.

During construction, we’ll work in 4 main phases:

• 2021 to 2022: Setting up and early works
• 2022 to 2023: Major construction to get ready to dig the trench
• 2023: Major construction including digging the trench and building the station
• 2023 to 2024: Finishing works and landscaping

Each of these phases involve different activities and we’ll work with local residents, traders and commuters to keep you informed about what’s happening during construction.

Teaming up with traders

We are working closely with traders and local businesses in the Mont Albert and Surrey Hills precincts to support them through future construction and utilise promotional opportunities throughout the project.

We recently held initial trader workshops with local businesses to brainstorm their ideas for what will work best in their own business precinct. Tailored marketing activities are now being considered to encourage the community to shop locally during our project works.

Marketing activities will be precinct specific and may include social media campaigns, trader directories and local events. Please continue to shop local and support your local traders throughout the works.

If you run a local business and have not yet spoken with an LXRP team member, please call 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

Project timeline

Early 2021

• First phase of community engagement completed

Mid 2021

• Updated designs released
• Further community engagement
• Early works begin

2022

• Final designs released
• Major construction begins

2023

• Level crossings gone for good

The timeline above is subject to change.