Works to start in Mentone, boom gates gone in 2020

Construction to remove the level crossing at Balcombe Road in Mentone will start soon, and the level crossing will be gone for good by late 2020. This dangerous and congested level crossing will be removed by lowering the rail into a trench underneath the road.

The Victorian Government is removing 18 dangerous and congested level crossings on the Frankston Line, including at Charman Road and Park Road in Cheltenham and at Balcombe Road in Mentone.

Currently 38,000 vehicles use these level crossings each day.

We have been listening to the community since we shared early designs in 2016. Key features of the updated design include:

• a new station with forecourt seating, open space and landscaping
• a new ‘heritage deck’ with community space over the rail line
• improved connections with the shopping precinct
• new 3.5km long bicycle and pedestrian path
• the opportunity for the existing heritage station buildings to become the focal point of a larger community garden
• the ability to run more trains, more often, by connecting the third track to the main line at Cheltenham.

Your new station

Our team has been working on the designs for the new Mentone Station precinct since we shared early concepts with the community in 2016. Community and stakeholder feedback has resulted in some key changes to the design.

• The new station will be 150m south of its current location, connecting the shopping precinct and bus interchange, and providing safer access across the rail line and through the station precinct.
• The new station will have forecourt seating and open space, landscaping, kiss and ride car bays and additional bicycle parking in Parkiteer cages and bicycle hoops.
• A new ‘heritage Bridge’ will be built, connecting the refurbished heritage station buildings and creating a new community space over the rail line.
• A new 3.5km long bicycle and pedestrian path run from Heather Grove in Cheltenham to Warrigal Road in Mentone.
• The station will seamlessly connect with Mentone Renaissance project, and creates the opportunity for the existing heritage station buildings to become the focal point of a larger community garden.

Protecting heritage buildings and gardens

We know that the heritage-listed station buildings and gardens at Mentone are loved by the local community.

We will carefully move the 2 station buildings off-site before main construction gets underway, refurbish them and return them to their current locations when work is complete. We will be seeking your suggestions on potential uses for the buildings.

Five heritage-listed trees in the station gardens, the Norfolk pines and the palm trees, will be protected on-site during works. They will form the centrepiece of a larger station garden that will include a ‘heritage bridge’ across the rail line between the 2 station buildings. We will seek community input on landscaping opportunities.

Car parking

You have told us that station car parking is important. The 272 car spaces currently available will be retained either in the station car park, or nearby.

Better pedestrian connections

We are creating a new 3.5km pedestrian and bike path along the rail line from Heather Grove, Cheltenham to Warrigal Road, Mentone. This will provide safer and more convenient access for the community, whether you are out for a stroll, walking the dog, or cycling to school, work or the shops.

By refining the design we no longer need pedestrian overpasses near Patty Street, Mitchell Street and Cremona Street.

The existing Patty Street and Cremona Street pedestrian crossings will be upgraded with safety gates to bring them up to modern standards. There will be access across the rail line via the station precinct near Mitchell Street.

There will be easy pedestrian access through the new station precinct across the rail line. This will connect with the new pedestrian-friendly ‘triangle site’ as part of the Mentone Renaissance project.

What to expect during works

Early works at Mentone will involve confirming the location of electricity, gas, water and telecommunications services that need to be relocated during major works. These investigations will continue until April.

Major construction will begin in mid 2019, the level crossings will be gone for good and 2 new stations will be open by late 2020. This will involve a series of weekend rail line closures, and one extended closure in mid 2020 when we dig the trench under Balcombe Road and re-build the road over the trench.

During construction you can expect:

• changes to the way you access the areas around the rail line and station precinct
• rail and car park closures. We will provide temporary alternative parking nearby.

The existing path that runs along the rail line between Salmon Street and Balcombe Road will be closed for periods during construction. We will keep you informed about detours.

We have a dedicated team that will be working with the community and rail passengers to keep you informed about what's happening during construction.

Buses will replace trains when we close the rail line. Further details will be available closer to the time.

How we’ll keep you informed

We will be out and about in the local community soon to talk with you about this project, answer your questions and seek your feedback on areas such as landscaping, and the potential uses of the heritage listed Mentone station buildings.

• Come and talk to us at our Mentone Info Hub at 116 Balcombe Road, Mentone, opening in May 2019. We will be hosting special events and walking tours during construction.
• We will be providing works alerts and doorknocking local homes and businesses and working closely with them – this includes our ‘open for business’ program for local traders.
• We will provide regular newsletter updates, that will be delivered to local homes and businesses and available online.
• Registering for email updates is the easiest way to stay up to date on all project information.
• And if you’ve got questions, find us via the details on the back page.

Community reference groups

We have formed 2 community reference groups, one in Cheltenham and one in Mentone, to help us keep the community informed in the lead up to and during works. These groups comprise residents and representatives from local community groups.

We have also established a trader reference group that we will work with to seek feedback on how best to support traders during construction and how to minimise the impacts of construction on local businesses

In Mentone we also have a dedicated school reference group to make sure we understand the specific needs of the busy local school community.

For more information on the groups and their members, visit our website at Your Level Crossings.

Timeline

Ongoing to March 2019

• Geotechnical investigations at Cheltenham and Mentone

March 2019

• Final designs released

April 2019

• Site set up, service proving and enabling works begin at Cheltenham and Mentone

Mid to late 2019

• Major construction begins at both sites

2020

• Rail line closed to excavate trench
• Build new station
• Construct bridge over Balcombe Road
• New Mentone Station opens

Mid 2021

• Project completion

Please note the timeline above is subject to change.