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

How we'll manage noise, dust and vibration

As with any major construction project, there will be times when our works unavoidably impact nearby residents and businesses.

Managing and mitigating construction impacts for the local community is our key priority. Noise, vibration or dust impacts vary at different stages of construction. Different construction activities, such as excavating and piling can cause more dust and vibration than others.

We take steps to minimise noise, dust and vibration impacts in accordance with environmental guidelines for major construction sites from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria.

To learn more about these guidelines, visit the EPA Victoria website.

What causes noise and vibration?

• Excavation and rock breaking
• Drilling deep into the ground, known as piling
• Heavy machinery, generators and power tools

How we manage our works

Construction of the project is managed in accordance with an Environmental Management Strategy (EMS), which guides decision-making relating to community and environmental impacts.

Construction vibration

To construct the foundations (piling) for the trench and road bridges we will be drilling into the ground. These works can cause ground vibration.

While you may be able to hear and feel vibration, all construction activities have been carefully planned to ensure the safety of the community and infrastructure.

We have offered property condition surveys to businesses and residents close to our works. This helps us understand the condition of properties before we start works. We also install monitors near the project site to ensure vibrations are within appropriate limits.

How we reduce noise

During construction, we actively monitor noise and vibration levels to make sure they are within EPA noise control guidelines.

To minimise noise, we:

• limit out-of-hours works wherever we can
• use quieter reversing alarms on our vehicles and machines
• use temporary noise mounds and noise blankets where possible
• keep our machines in good working order.

We generally work from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 1pm on Saturdays.

At times, we will need to work at night and on weekends. We will notify affected residents and businesses in advance of any out-of-hours works.

How we reduce dust

If you live near the construction area, you may notice some dust or dirt while we work, particularly on windy days. We use a range of measures to minimise the amount of dust generated and to keep the air clean, including:

• planning earthworks on less windy days
• staging work to minimise the areas exposed to wind
• spraying exposed areas with water, especially on hot and windy days
• covering truck loads and stockpiles
• reducing the speed of construction vehicles
• monitoring air quality to ensure EPA Guidelines are met.

To keep an eye on dust levels close to the project area we use dust monitors. These are installed next to our work site and help manage dust by monitoring air quality on a regular basis.

Temporary lighting

At times, we will need to use temporary lighting to safely undertake works at night. To minimise the potential for light spill, we:

• keep the amount of light to the minimum levels needed
• direct light towers away from homes and businesses.

Work zones

We set up safe work zones so our construction team can safely access the rail corridor and work areas. We also store equipment in safe work zones. You will notice fencing or barriers installed around these areas. This may mean temporary changes to street parking and speed limits.

Truck movements

As we begin major works, you will notice more trucks and workers around the local area. We aim to move trucks, particularly those carrying excavated material, away from construction sites and onto the arterial road network.

There may be times when we need to reduce speed limits or close lanes on roads to maintain the safety of our work crews and the public. To help manage any changes to local roads, you will see traffic controllers around our project area while works take place.

Traffic controllers are there to:

• safely direct vehicles and pedestrians around any detours
• support truck movement in and out of project areas
• keep people moving around the project area in the safest way possible.

How we’ll keep you up to date

We will notify potentially affected residents and businesses well in advance of works through direct updates via letterbox drops and, at times, in person.

Stay up to date by subscribing to email updates or sign up for SMS disruptions alerts by texting 'GH’ to 0428 581 917.