As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing 20 dangerous level crossings and building 13 new stations as part of a more than $4 billion upgrade to the Frankston Line. It will improve safety, reduce congestion and allow more trains, more often.

We’re removing two dangerous and congested level crossings at Neerim Road and Glen Huntly Road level crossings by lowering the rail line into a trench and building a new Glenhuntly Station.

Before we build the rail trench, preparation is key to establishing solid foundations. From mid May we’ll start foundation works, commonly referred to as piling. Piling allows for the construction of a trench with vertical walls and is essential in establishing solid foundations for retaining wall, road and station structures.

In the weeks leading up to these works, you’ll notice an increase in worker activity, material deliveries and the construction of hardstand platforms to prepare for the mobilisation of the piling rigs. Hardstands, or piling rig pads, provide ground stability and will be built at various sites where the rigs will operate. They are constructed to safely withstand the load of heavy vehicles and machinery. The temporary pads are made of crushed rock, about 500mm deep, located 3.5m from the rail line. When these are constructed, the piling rig will be transported by trucks and assembled onsite.

Types of piling we’re using

There are various piling methods used depending on the construction methodology, site conditions and engineering advice. In Glen Huntly, the technique we’re mainly using is Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piling.

This type of piling is known to have the least community impact as it generates less vibration with moderate noise.  At times, however, nearby residents may notice an increase in noise.

A pile is formed when a piling rig drills circular holes into the ground using the auger (a corkscrew-shaped drill). The holes are then backfilled with concrete and reinforced with a steel cage to set and secure the pile, before moving on to the next location along the rail alignment.

In total, we’ll install around 3000 piles along a 1km section of rail corridor between Lord Street and Hawson Avenue. These piles will range in depth from 9 to 18m and diameter of 0.7 to 1.2m.

Although the piles won’t be visible until major trenching takes place, they play an integral role in ensuring the walls surrounding the rail infrastructure are solid and secure.

We'll provide the local community with more information about the timing and impacts ahead of works.

What will we do to manage these impacts?

We will:

• directly notify you in advance of noisy or disruptive works through letterbox drops and door-knocks
• monitor noise and vibration levels to ensure we comply with Environment Protection Authority (EPA) guidelines
• use quieter equipment and machinery where possible
• maintain a safe distance between homes and machinery.

If you have any concerns about the levels of vibration, you can contact the project team anytime by calling 1800 105 105.

We’ll also be doing a small amount of sheet piling at the Neerim Road bridge and Glenhuntly Station. Sheet piling is where hydraulic machinery is used to drive sheets of steel into the ground to create a retaining wall for planned excavation.