The Victorian Government is investing more than $4 billion on the Frankston Line to remove 20 dangerous and congested level crossings, build 13 new stations, and increase safety, reduce congestion, and run more trains, more often.

Work to remove the level crossings at Neerim and Glen Huntly roads is about to begin with the rail line to be lowered into a rail trench, boom gates being removed and a new Glenhuntly Station to open in 2023 - one year ahead of schedule.

We're continuing investigations including surveying and soil analysis to understand critical ground conditions in the area.

We'll start building the site offices and relocating underground utilities away from the new rail trench. We'll also close the station car parks to complete critical drainage works. Alternative parking will be provided at Caulfield Racecourse.

Why these level crossings need to go

• 20,000 vehicles travel through these crossings each weekday
• 200 passenger trains use the Frankston Line daily
• Boom gates down for almost 60 minutes in the weekday 2-hour peak
• 3000 people use the Glenhuntly Station each day

What's coming up

We’ve got a big year ahead of us in 2022 as we prepare the site for major works.

As a critical part of our early technical planning, our site investigations help us better understand varying soil, rock, and groundwater conditions in the local area.

From February 2022, we'll begin a range of activities along Queens Avenue, Grange Road, Neerim Road and Glen Huntly Road, including:

• non-destructive digging, using high-pressure water to dig into the ground
• palm tree relocation along Royal Avenue, with the trees to return after major construction completed
• combined services route (CSR) works, to locate and upgrade essential underground rail services
• set up of safety barriers around our works areas along the rail line
• other underground utility relocations, including drainage works.

While we conduct these activities, there will be some short-term noise and light impacts, and you should expect to see some machinery while we make our way gradually through the area.

We will have traffic management on hand in Glen Huntly at various times in the upcoming weeks and months, to minimise these impacts and to help keep the community moving safely.

Mid 2022

In mid 2022, we will begin initial test piling works around Glenhuntly Station, to test ground suitability for construction of the rail trench walls.

This will involve drilling holes in the ground and filling them with steel mesh and concrete, to strengthen the walls of the new rail trench.

All these works will help us prepare for major construction of the trench and station in 2023.

What we have we done so far

• Completed site investigations to understand local ground conditions before major construction
• Consulted the local community and released new station precinct designs
• Hosted six virtual community information sessions and pop-ups
• Finalised membership for the Stakeholder Liaison Group, with our first meeting held in early December.

What to expect during construction

During construction, there will be changes to the way you travel around the area, including in the station precinct and around the rail corridor.

At times, we will have to close the rail line or there may be impacts to street parking and footpaths to safely complete our works. In these instances, traffic management and detour signage will be used as needed to keep the community moving safely around the local area.

We have a dedicated team that will be working with the community, local shops, schools and rail passengers to keep you informed about the latest construction impacts.

Upcoming works

In February, we will start preparing the site for construction. This will include some vegetation removal, installation of safety barriers and utility works.

We will be working across different sections of the project area to ensure we minimise the length of disruption for the community.

Preparation works will be complete in mid 2022, with piling work to start in the second half of the year.

We will provide further updates throughout each stage of works.

Site set up

In the coming weeks we will prepare to set up our site offices.

These site offices provide essential facilities for our construction and engineering teams and will remain in place until the project is completed in 2024.

Car park closures

To allow for drainage works, there will be a staged closure of some of the Glenhuntly Station car parks, with the north-west and the Etna Street station car parks closing from late January. These car parks will remain closed to both vehicles and pedestrians until the new Glenhuntly Station opens in 2023.

Alternative all-day parking will be available at the Caulfield Racecourse, in the Guineas car park located off Queens Avenue, near the corner of Normanby Road. Passengers requiring accessible parking are advised to use either Carnegie Station during this time or Ormond Station to mid 2022.

February weekend rail closure

Buses will replace trains on the Frankston Line from 9pm Friday 25 February to 3am Monday 28 February as we undertake critical works within the rail corridor.

More details will be available closer to the date.

If you need further assistance to travel, alternative transport can be arranged by contacting PTV on 1800 800 007. For information on replacement buses, visit the PTV website.

Stakeholder Liaison Group underway

Membership for our Stakeholder Liaison Group (SLG) has now been confirmed, with our first meeting held in early December.

We established an SLG to help share information with the community about construction impacts and to respond to project questions. It comprises of community group members, residents and traders who will provide valuable local perspectives on upcoming project works.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination – we appreciate your interest in this transformative project.

Details of your SLG members and minutes of meetings are available on our Glen Huntly Stakeholder Liaison Group page.

Project timeline

Late 2021

• Finalise project design
• Ongoing site investigations

Early to mid 2022

• Site office establishment
• Vegetation removal
• Service and utility works continue
• Station car park closures

Mid to late 2022

• Major construction begins
• Piling works begin

2023

• Boom gates removed

2024

• Project completed

Stay informed

• Sign up for email updates
• Call us on 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au 24/7