26 October 2022

Piles for miles in Glen Huntly

Construction is progressing well as we work to remove the dangerous Neerim Road and Glen Huntly Road level crossings, and build a new Glenhuntly Station by 2023.

Piling works are well underway along the rail corridor as we get ready for the 'big dig' next year which will see the rail line lowered into a trench.

These two dangerous and congested level crossings have been fast-tracked for removal, with the boom gates gone for good next year and job done in 2024 – one year ahead of schedule.

Find out more about works and how the project is progressing in the next pages.

Why the Glen Huntly and Neerim road level crossings need to go

Improve traffic flow: 20,000 vehicles travel through these level crossings each weekday

Reduce travel times: The boom gates at Neerim and Glen Huntly roads can be down for almost 60 minutes in the weekday peak

Improve safety: Removing the level crossings will significantly improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, tram passengers and drivers

Better connections: The project will revitalise the Glenhuntly Station precinct, improving connections between the station, shops, homes and community amenities

Improve facilities: The new Glenhuntly Station will provide modern and safe facilities for over 3000 people who use the station each day

More crossings to go on the Frankston Line

A total of 27 level crossings will be gone from the Frankston Line by 2029, clearing the way for more frequent services, improving safety and easing congestion.

Another 7 level crossings are set to go from:

  • Wickham Road, Highett
  • Highett Road, Highett
  • McDonald Street, Mordialloc
  • Station Street, Aspendale
  • Groves Street, Aspendale
  • Armstrongs Road, Seaford
  • Station Street, Seaford

For more information visit making Frankston Line level crossing free.

New modern stations will also be built at:

  • Highett
  • Mordialloc
  • Aspendale
  • Seaford

With a further 2 closures at:

  • Latrobe Street, Mentone
  • Bear Street, Mordialloc

We'll be undertaking engineering and site investigations to inform the detailed design process, including speaking with the communities along the Frankston Line early next year.

Keep palm and carry on!

In late July, 15 of our Canary Island date palms were carefully removed and relocated. The palms will enjoy a relaxing holiday before they’re returned to the area when work is complete.

In July, our project team worked with Glen Huntly Primary School students to ask them what they thought the palms are getting up to during their well-deserved break.

The students created a colourful mural with their ideas about where the date palms have gone on holiday and what fun activities they are getting up to.

‘The kids enjoyed working with each other on a project that would be on display to their community. It was a way to express their creativity and learn a little more information regarding the project,’ said Cameron White, Vice Principal at Glen Huntly Primary School.

Keep an eye out

You can visit the student murals at the corner of Royal Avenue and Rosedale Avenue in Glen Huntly from late October 2022.

Completed works update

What's happening on the ground

We're continuing to prepare to excavate the rail trench, with piling works continuing along the rail corridor.

We now have three piling rigs on site to build the trench wall.

At the end of August we completed 24/7 works that included:

  • critical works along the rail corridor in Glen Huntly and Caulfield East
  • powering up the third track, reopening a ramp to platform 3 and resuming express services on the Frankston Line.
  • completing more than 760 of the 3000 piles we need to install
  • removing more than 29,000m2 of soil.

Underground utilities and services in the area, such as water and drainage, continue to be relocated. This ensures they are safely out of the way before we start digging the new trench.

Glenhuntly Station will remain open until early 2023 to keep rail passengers moving and to maintain pedestrian access across the tracks. You may notice works taking place on and around platform 1, as we prepare for the next stage of piling.

School’s out, hi-vis is in!

During school holidays last month, we held 2 family-friendly guided information sessions specially designed for children and families to provide insights into the project.

Glen Huntly’s curious young minds had the chance to learn more about our works from our project team.

Guiding locals safely around the outside of the project area, we shared interesting facts about the activities taking place behind the scenes on our busy construction site.

More guided information tours will happen throughout the project. Look out for your new community noticeboards for more details.

Upcoming changes on the Frankston Line

This summer will be busy – and an important period for us, as we prepare to excavate the rail trench.

We will work along the rail corridor and while we work, buses will replace train services:

Caulfield to Moorabbin stations

  • 9pm Tuesday 6 December to 9pm Friday 9 December

Frankston to Stony Point stations

  • 9pm Tuesday 6 December to last service Sunday 11 December

Glen Huntly and Caufield East stations

  • 9pm Tuesday 6 December to 3am Monday 12 December

Flinders Street to Mordialloc stations

  • 9pm Friday 9 December to last service Sunday 11 December

Frankston Line

  • Express trains will stop all stations from Monday 12 December to mid 2023

Tram Route 67 between Stop 14 – Arts Precinct and to Stop 68 Carnegie Terminus

  • 8pm to last service each night, Tuesday 6 December to Thursday 8 December

At times, Metro Trains Melbourne will also undertake maintenance works on their rail assets over night shifts.

To plan your journey and for more information, please visit the PTV disruptions page or call 1800 800 007. Please allow extra time and plan ahead.

Changes to the way you move around

To safely carry out construction activities and to allow trucks to safely access construction sites, there will be times when we temporarily change the way you move around in Glen Huntly and Caulfield East.

These changes may include lane or road closures, changes to how you walk or cycle in the area, and reduced or removed street parking, as well as temporary car park closures.

Uncovering art in Glen Huntly

With works underway in Glen Huntly, residents of the area are starting to see the new Glenhuntly Station precinct take shape day by day.

Kate Birrell, a Glen Huntly local and multidisciplinary artist who has lived in the area for over 20 years, has been watching the level crossing removal works with her artistic eye.

Observing the changes in her neighbourhood has been the catalyst for creating almost-daily watercolour paintings, recording the legacy the Level Crossing Removal Project is creating in her backyard.

‘I was inspired to start documenting the Glen Huntly level crossing removal works having lived and worked in the area for more than 2 decades. The project is filled with colour, movement and personality. It is also a significant transformation of our local suburb.’

Kate sees the extraordinary in the ordinary and helps her followers see through that lens via her Instagram @lookatmelbourne and Painting Life website.

You can also check out Kate's artwork in person for yourself on our project fence at 1154 Glen Huntly Road, Glen Huntly.

Thank you for going local

While works take place in Glen Huntly your local shops continue to operate as normal and thank you for your ongoing support.

Shops will be open as usual and despite project-related disruptions, you’ll still be able to get where you need to go.

Watch this space as we work closely with local traders to bring you lots of exciting news and opportunities during major works.

Stay informed

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
  • Piling works begin

Mid to late 2022

  • Major construction begins

2023

  • Boom gates removed

2024

  • Project completed

View the PDF

Glen Huntly community update October 2022 (PDF 1.6 MB)