Major construction blitz, new Union Station open late May 2023

Our final major construction blitz will start in February on one of the biggest engineering projects ever undertaken in Melbourne’s east as we build a 1.3km rail trench.

By late May 2023 the 2 dangerous and congested level crossings will be gone for good and the new Union Station will be open.

What we're doing

Over the next few months, we’ll work day and night, seven days a week to dig the 1.3km rail trench, build a new premium station, and remove the dangerous boom gates for good.

In early 2023 we’ll need to suspend rail services and close roads near the level crossing to build the new infrastructure. As part of the construction blitz, buses will replace trains on sections of the Lilydale and Belgrave lines from Friday 17 February until late May. Both Union Road and Mont Albert Road will also need to close at the level crossings from Friday 17 February until early May.

Getting around during the works

To help keep you moving during the works, a local shuttle bus service will connect both of the shopping precincts and carry locals across the rail corridor. The shuttle will also connect to rail replacement bus services. We’ll reopen the 2 main roads in early May and by the end of May, trains will be running in the trench and stopping at the brand-new Union Station.

Changes to the way you travel

From 8.30pm Friday 17 February to late May, there will be changes to the way you travel around Mont Albert and Surrey Hills.

Drivers

Union Road and Mont Albert Road will be closed at the level crossings. If you usually drive through Mont Albert or Surrey Hills, you will be detoured via Elgar, Whitehorse, Balwyn and Canterbury roads.

If you’re travelling to the area, Union Road and Mont Albert Road will remain open either side of the level crossings and access to the local shops will be maintained. Please take care when driving in construction zones and follow the detour signage and any instructions from traffic control staff.

Pedestrians

Pedestrian access across the tracks at Union Road and Mont Albert Road will be closed most of the time. Pedestrians will be able to cross the rail corridor at Robinson Road in Surrey Hills and Creswick Lane at Mont Albert, both of which will be closed to vehicles.

There will also be a local shuttle bus to help you get around the local area and access the shops. The bus stops will be clearly marked and will be located at Union Road and Mont Albert Road, close to the level crossings.

Train users

Buses will replace trains between Camberwell and Box Hill, and at times between Camberwell and Ringwood from 8.30pm Friday 17 February to late May 2023.

Rail replacement bus stops will be located close to each station. For details and to plan your journey, visit Public Transport Victoria.

2023 major works schedule

January to March

• Remove the old rail line, demolish Surrey Hills Station and carefully dismantle the Mont Albert Station building for storage and restoration.
• Complete the remaining piling and capping beam works to form the walls of the new rail trench.
• Excavate the trench and spray concrete onto the walls to fill in the gaps between the piles and form a consistent, flat wall.

March to April

• Install a concrete base slab, including drainage and small piles that secure the base slab in place.
• Install the new rail tracks, platforms and station buildings.

April to May

• Construct new road bridges at Union Road and Mont Albert Road.
• Build the decks for the new Union Road open space and Mont Albert Heritage Plaza.

Following the opening of the new Union Station in late May, we'll then complete the remaining works, including the station car parks, pedestrian and cycling paths, new open spaces and landscaping throughout 2023.

Supporting local traders

As part of our ongoing trader support, we launched a new loyalty program called Stamp Me, which rewards residents and visitors for shopping with Mont Albert Village and Union Road traders.

Thank you to the more than 3,700 local shoppers who have signed up to the Stamp Me trader loyalty app. Signing up is easy: download the Stamp Me app and click the '+' icon to search for Mont Albert Village Traders and Union Road Surrey Hills.

Coffees and cranes - view our works

Come along, see the works first hand, and have a coffee on us!

Watch the engineering feats as we excavate over 200,000 cubic metres of soil to dig the new rail trench, lay nearly 6km of new track, install one of the 1,262 concrete piles or see a 90 tonne bridge beam lifted into place by a giant 750 tonne capacity crane.

To ensure you are informed of our events please subscribe to our email updates.

Stay informed

• Register to receive disruption information via text message. Simply text UMA to 0459 067 028 to sign up for alerts for traffic and construction impacts.
• View all upcoming disruptions and get the latest project updates by subscribing to email updates.

Key dates

*Timeline above is subject to change

From 30 January

• No outbound trains stopping at Surrey Hills Station

From 8.30pm 17 February

• Mont Albert and Surrey Hills stations close
• Mont Albert Road closed at the level crossing
• Union Road closed at the level crossing
• Buses replace trains
• Construction blitz to dig trench and remove level crossings

Early May

• Union and Mont Albert roads reopen

Late May

• Both level crossings gone for good
• Trains resume
• New Union Station open