Construction progressing on the new rail bridge and Parkdale Station

The Victorian Government is removing 27 dangerous level crossings and building 17 new stations, making the Frankston Line level crossing free by 2029 and improving safety, reducing congestion and allowing more trains to run more often.

Major works are now underway to remove the level crossings at Warrigal Road, Mentone and Parkers Road, Parkdale by raising the rail line over both roads and building a new Parkdale Station.

In 2023, we built the temporary rail track to keep trains running while we complete works and laid the foundations for the new rail bridge and Parkdale Station.

We also released our final designs for the project.

We are now busy building the rail bridge. We've been drilling piles, which form the bridge foundations, over the past few months and the community can now see the bridge taking shape.

Bridge sections are being delivered and installed between now and May.

By spring this year, the boom gates will be gone and passengers will be using the new Parkdale Station.

Changes to the way you travel

There will be changes to the way you travel for train passengers, drivers, pedestrians and cyclists until spring 2024.

Read on for more information.

Why these level crossings need to go

• About 20,000 vehicles travel through these crossings each day
• Boom gates are down for up to 44 minutes of the morning peak
• 34 trains run during the morning peak

Works taking place this  autumn

In 2024, major construction will include:

• delivering and installing large concrete beams, which are manufactured off-site, to support the rail bridge and new station platforms
• putting the rail bridge pieces into place
• installing lift shafts for the new station building
• completing drainage works in the station precinct.

While works take place, we will have signage and traffic management in place to keep you and our workers safe. Please take care around our works and follow the direction of traffic controllers.

Changes to the way you travel

There will be changes to the way you travel around Mentone and Parkdale until spring 2024.

Drivers

• Como Parade West single lane closed (southbound) throughout February
• Como Parade West progressive full road closure in each section from 9pm to 7am every day until May while we deliver and install the large concrete beams
• No right turns from Warrigal Road into Como Parade East until mid-2024

There will be decal signage in place with detour information.

Pedestrians and cyclists

Pedestrian rail crossings will be closed intermittently at Warrigal Road and Parkers Road.

The shuttle bus service will make stops near closed pedestrian crossings to help you get around safely during our works.

For more information on the shuttle bus stop locations visit the getting around Mentone and Parkdale page.

Please note these changes are dependent on a variety of factors including weather and progress of works and are subject to change.

Train passengers

Frankston Line trains will continue running express through Parkdale Station along the temporary rail track until spring 2024.

During this time, the shuttle bus service will continue running between Mentone, Parkdale and Mordialloc stations to connect you to trains.

At certain times during March, buses will replace trains on the Frankston Line.

Between Cheltenham and Mordialloc:

• 8.30pm Friday 1 March to last service Sunday 3 March
• 8.30pm to last service each night from Monday 4 March to Wednesday 6 March
• 8.30pm to last service on Thursday 14 March

Between South Yarra and Mordialloc:

• 8.30pm to last service each night on Monday 18 March and Tuesday 19 March

Between Cheltenham and Frankston:

• 8.30pm to last service each night from Monday 25 March to Wednesday 27 March

For more information and to plan ahead visit the PTV website.

Final designs released in 2023

In late 2023, we released final designs for the project.

The designs show the final layout of the new station precinct and open space, including car parking, new walking and cycling path and the location of community facilities.

In response to community feedback, the new Parkdale Station and open space will reflect the local character and village feel of the suburb, including warm-toned natural materials, community gathering places and recreational facilities for the community to enjoy – a basketball half court, open-air gym, village green, community garden and a nature-based play area.

The new walking and cycling path will connect Parkdale to Mentone and allow for a future connection to Mordialloc.

The new Parkdale Station, which will open later this year, will include 49 all-day passenger car spaces, two disability car spaces, and a Parkiteer with parking for up to 26 bikes as well as additional bike hoops located at the station precinct, village green and linear park.

There will also be stairs and lifts leading up to each platform from both station entrances, sheltered walking areas on the platforms and Myki facilities.

We will also be delivering an accessible public toilet opposite the trader precinct on Como Parade West which will be managed and maintained by the City of Kingston.

Since 2021, community feedback has helped shape the final designs and we thank you for your input.

We received more than 1,600 pieces of community feedback over 4 rounds of consultation and via our Parkdale Open Space Advisory Panel and local community groups.

Thank you also to everyone who attended our face-to-face Information session and online webinar on the final designs in December 2023.

View the community consultation reports.

View  the final designs.

Parkdale Station

In late 2023, we demolished the old Parkdale Station, which had been significantly damaged from a fire in April 2023.

To commemorate the old station building we will install an image viewer, or stereoscopic box, showing an image of the former Parkdale Station.

Parkdale trees on vacation

During our community consultations, we heard that trees and greenery are highly valued by the local community.

As part of our commitment to the community and the environment, we will transplant 80 banksias and she-oaks back to the new station precinct and open space when we begin landscaping works later this year. The trees vary in height from 1.5m to 4m.

We removed these trees before construction, and they are now being cared for at a nursery in Dingley Village.

We’re also preserving 5 of Parkdale’s iconic Canary Island date palms, which are also being cared for at a local nursery.

While on vacation, the palms have been planted within mulch bedding to encourage root growth – this will ensure they remain healthy and are in the best condition for when they return home.

Tree transplanting is an important biodiversity initiative that allows us to retain some established trees in an area, bringing them back once construction is complete.

At the end of the project, we will plant more than 100,000 new trees, shrubs, and grasses in the new open space and along the rail corridor.

Thank you for supporting local

As part of our ongoing trader support, we have partnered with Parkdale Village traders through various trader initiatives in recent months, including:

• Spend & Win competition
• Winter Wonderland
• Halloween
• Father’s Day pamper package giveaway
• Christmas hamper giveaway
• Summer Vibes: Say The Word

Congratulations to those who participated in our Halloween Spend and Win competition throughout October and November – 20 lucky locals won a $200 Parkdale Village gift card.

In December, we gave away 4 hampers filled with Christmas goodies, valued at $400 each, in the spirit of the festive season.

To keep the summer vibes flowing in Parkdale this summer, we gave away 60 prizes valued at up to $60 each to the first 5 people who said the word of the day at one of the participating traders.

Keep an eye out at Parkdale Village for store front signage on how you can participate in further trader events and initiatives this year.

Meet your florist

Bliss Flowers and Giftware is a local florist and giftware shop, owned by Ann Chand.

For many years, Ann dreamed of owning the store as she drove past it while on the daily school run.

So, when the store went up for sale in 2013, she bought it.

With no direct floristry experience herself but supported by an exceptional team of florists, Ann was determined to bring new life to the shop.

Ten years later, Bliss is recognised for its bespoke floral arrangements for all occasions and wide variety of quality gifts, including homewares, candles and diffusers.

Ann wants Bliss to be known for quality, consistency and, most importantly, excellent customer service.

Ann and the team at Bliss Flowers and Giftware look forward to welcoming you in their store.

Thank you for your patience

Thank you for your patience in late 2023 as our crews prepared for foundations for the new Parkdale Station and rail bridge and built the temporary rail track.

The temporary rail track will keep Frankston Line trains running and minimise disruption to the community and train passengers as we continue with works this year.

Project timeline

2021

• Project announcement

Mid 2022

• Early concept designs released
• Community engagement sessions
• Open Space Advisory Panel meetings continue
• Site investigations continue

Late 2022

• Updated designs released
• Community engagement sessions
• Stakeholder liaison group nominations

Early 2023

• Start of works
• Stakeholder liaison group meetings begin

Mid-Late 2023

• Major construction begins
• Final designs released

2024

• Level crossings gone
• New Parkdale Station open

2025

• Project completion

Stay up to date

• Sign up to email updates
• Register for SMS updates by texting PARKDALE to 0429 839 892
• Call us on 1800 105 105
• Email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au