11 October 2022

Making the Frankston Line level crossing free

We’re removing 7 more level crossings on the Frankston Line.

The Victorian Government is committed to removing every one of the dangerous and congested level crossing on the Frankston Line by 2029 – transforming how locals live, work and travel.

We’re removing all 27 level crossings on the Frankston Line and building 17 new stations. This is more level crossing removals than any other train line in Melbourne.

16 crossings are already gone, 4 are going and now we’ve added 7 more including:

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

And

  • Latrobe Street, Mentone (closure)
  • Bear Street, Mordialloc (closure)

Better transport, reduced congestion

Removing all the level crossings on the Frankston Line will improve safety and reduce congestion.

The Metro Tunnel is freeing up more space in the City Loop by 2025, which helps to enable more trains on the Frankston Line in the future. It’s important to remove these level crossings now to prevent even more boom gate down time.

The Frankston Line will join the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines in being level crossing-free by 2029 – delivering benefits across Melbourne’s south east.

4 New stations

New stations will be built as part of these crossing removals at

  • Highett
  • Mordialloc
  • Aspendale
  • Seaford

16 crossings removed

  • North Road, Ormond
  • McKinnon Road, McKinnon
  • Centre Road, Bentleigh
  • Charman Road, Cheltenham
  • Park Road, Cheltenham
  • Balcombe Road, Mentone
  • Edithvale Road, Edithvale
  • Chelsea Road, Chelsea
  • Argyle Avenue, Chelsea
  • Swanpool Avenue, Chelsea
  • Station Street, Bonbeach
  • Mascot Avenue, Bonbeach (closure)
  • Station Street, Carrum
  • Eel Race Road, Carrum (closure)
  • Seaford Road, Seaford
  • Skye/Overton Road, Frankston

4 crossings underway

  • Glen Huntly Road, Glen Huntly
  • Neerim Road, Glen Huntly
  • Warrigal Road, Mentone
  • Parkers Road, Parkdale

Level crossing removals and new stations

Map of Frankston Line showing all level crossings removed and new stations, as well as new stations and level crossings set to go. Details above.

Level crossing-free Frankston Line benefits

We’re removing all 27 level crossings on the Frankston Line and building 17 new train stations by 2029

  • No level crossings means less congestion on local roads
  • Creates better public transport network allowing more trains to run more often
  • The 17 new stations will have better facilities for passengers including more lighting and CCTV
  • By 2029, we will have unlocked valuable open space and created at least 14km of new shared user paths along the Frankston Line

Why these extra crossings need to go

  • About 51,000 vehicles travel through these crossings each day
  • Boom gates are down for up to 50 minutes of the morning peak (7am to 9am)
  • Up to 43 trains during the morning peak (7am to 9am)
  • 51 near misses at these crossings since 2016 and one fatality

Highett

We’re removing the level crossings at:

  • Wickham Road, Highett
  • Highett Road, Highett
  • Latrobe Street, Mentone (closure)

In Highett, we’ll remove the 2 level crossings as part of one project, which will also make Worthing Road boom gate free. A new rail bridge and a new Highett Station means we’ll unlock useful open space for the community to enjoy.

A rail bridge will also mean fewer extended disruptions to the Frankston Line. It will also reduce impacts on traders, allow space for extra car parking and minimise potential land acquisition.

Latrobe Street, Mentone

We’ll close the crossing at Latrobe Street in Mentone. Vehicles will be able to use the nearby level crossing-free Charman Road or Balcombe Road. We’ll ensure that a pedestrian crossing is still provided.

The best design

In Highett, a new rail bridge will deliver the best outcome for the community.

A new rail bridge will deliver:

  • More opportunity for open space and car parks
  • A new Highett Station
  • Better walking and cycling connections
  • Reduced disruption for Highett traders, shoppers and train passengers

Mordialloc and Aspendale

We’re removing level crossings at:

  • McDonald Street, Mordialloc
  • Station Street, Aspendale
  • Groves Street, Aspendale
  • Bear Street, Mordialloc (closure)

The level crossings at McDonald Street, Mordialloc and Station Street, Aspendale will be removed with new rail bridges. We’ll also build a new station at Mordialloc.

A rail trench is not feasible in these locations due to the nearby Mordialloc Creek.

We’ll close the crossing at nearby Bear Street to allow the new bridge to tie into the nearby train stabling yards.

Further down the Frankston Line, we’ll build a new rail trench at Grove Street, Aspendale. We’ll also build a new station at Aspendale.

The best design

In Mordialloc and Station Street, Aspendale, new rail bridges will deliver the best outcomes for the local community.

The new rail bridges will deliver:

  • More opportunities for open space and a better connected precinct
  • A new Mordialloc Station
  • A design that reduces or avoids impacts to Mordialloc Creek and surrounding areas

We'll consult with the community about nearby road network improvements.

At Groves Street, Aspendale a new rail trench is the best solution for the area.

A new trench will deliver:

  • A new Aspendale Station

Seaford

We’re removing level crossings at:

  • Armstrongs Road, Seaford
  • Station Street, Seaford

In Seaford, we’ll remove the level crossings with two separate rail bridges. We’ll also build a new Seaford Station.

Due to the nearby Kananook Creek, a rail trench design is not feasible for the area.

New rail bridges also provide more opportunities for new community spaces, car parking and walking and cycling connections.

The best design

In Seaford, new rail bridges will deliver the best outcome for the community.

New rail bridges will deliver:

  • A new Seaford Station
  • Better walking and cycling connections
  • More opportunities for community spaces and car parks

Developing the best design

Designs for all level crossing removals are assessed and developed by teams of technical experts including engineers and construction specialists.

A design that may suit one area may not necessarily suit another.

We are in the very early stages of developing the best project designs for these new locations.

Further detailed design, engineering assessments and community engagement will be undertaken on all the projects.

Next steps

You'll hear more from our teams early next year about the removal of these crossings.

As we prepare for the project, it is important that we have a detailed understanding of the conditions at each site.

To do this, we complete lots of site investigations to better understand the ground conditions and work out what designs and construction methods can be used in each location.

We'll provide you with information on how to get involved, project timelines and what early investigations will be happening in your area early next year.

Keep in touch

We will be out in the community to talk to you about these projects in the coming months. In the meantime, the best way to stay in touch is by subscribing to our email updates.

Send us a private message on our Facebook page.

Contact our 24/7 call centre on 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au