19 July 2023

Bridge foundation works start

We're removing the dangerous and congested level crossing at Keon Parade by building a 750m rail bridge over the road and a new, modern station at Keon Park.

As major construction gets underway, we are constructing hardstand and beginning piling. Hardstand will prepare the site for heavy machinery while piling works require drilling deep underground foundations that will support the elevated rail.

Forty two piles are going to be created as part of the new rail bridge that will see the Keon Parade level crossing removed for good.

Why this level crossing needs to go:

  • 18,000+ vehicles travel through this crossing each weekday
  • boom gates down for up to 41 minutes of morning peak
  • 30 trains travel through the crossing during morning peak
  • 33,000 passengers use the Mernda Line each day.

Traffic Changes

At times throughout the project, some lanes or roads will need to temporarily close to undertake works safely.

Impacted residents and traders will be notified of any upcoming disruptions.

During July and August, Keon Parade will be closed at the level crossing between:

  • 9pm, Wednesday 26 July to 5am, Wednesday 2 August
  • 9pm, Friday 4 August to 5am, Saturday 5 August

Johnson Street will remain open. Please see detour map below.

Upcoming 24/7 works at Keon Parade

To support the 750m rail bridge across Keon Parade, we’ll need to install 30 piers and crossheads at the site.

To do this safely, Keon Parade will be temporarily closed, and buses will replace trains on sections of the Mernda Line at times in July and August.

To minimise disruptions and keep you moving, we will work 24/7 between 9pm, Wednesday 26 July and 5am, Monday 7 August.

Keon Parade road closure map

  • A shuttle bus will be in place to connect passengers to the 902 bus to Chelsea and Airport West for the stops that are closed along Keon Parade and Mahoneys Road.
  • Buses will replace trains on sections of the Mernda Line at times throughout July and August.

Plan your journey on the PTV website or the PTV app. Please allow extra time for your travel.

While construction is underway, there will be traffic impacts. Text Keon to 0428 581 917 to sign up for SMS updates about the Keon Parade Level Crossing Removal Project.

To stay up to date, register for regular email updates.

Local community engagement

Endeavour Foundation

Endeavour Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation employing 140 people with a range of abilities. They're also our new neighbours, located next door to the Keon Parade level crossing site office.

Team members shared how people could continue to move safely around the work areas during construction, and how to stay up to date with the works via SMS updates.

The project team was given a site tour around the factory, viewing the work areas and machinery, as well as the products packaged and distributed by Endeavour Foundation.

Endeavour Foundation’s Site Coordinator was very appreciative of the team coming to visit.

'Thank you all for making the time to attend our Stakeholder Meeting. It was a pleasure having you all! You were surely the highlight of the day for our employees. Looking forward to the next one.'

Kids in Keon

The Keon Park Level Crossing Project team went back to kindy, visiting Keon Park Kindergarten to chat with four- and five-year-olds about all things construction.

After learning from their teachers how interested the children were in the nearby project works, the team were delighted to come out and visit. The children had been waiting for this moment for weeks and were keen to learn.

The eager kindergarteners were taught about the project by the team's engineers. Excited and raring to go, they took part in a range of activities, including building their very own refurbished Keon Park Station out of Duplo blocks.

Johnson Street is open for business

Happy Anna

Anna, the owner of Happy Anna - a fantastic spot for your clothing alteration needs - lives up to her name. But she isn’t just happy, she’s incredibly grateful.

Born near Saigon, Anna immigrated to Australia in 1984. It was in Melbourne that she put her sewing experience to use, opening her store as soon as she moved to Reservoir.

Hard work saw Anna and her husband build a solid business and her great reputation has established a strong, always growing client base.

Although many of Anna’s clients are locally based, people come from well beyond Reservoir to visit the shop.

Happy Anna will work on your alterations, mend and modify any types of garments you bring to her, including replacing buttons, zippers or pockets.

Anna and her husband have enjoyed living and working in Reservoir all these years.

The shop is open Monday to Friday 10 am to 6pm, and you’ll always be welcomed with a smile.

Happy Anna, 40 Johnson St, Reservoir

Tel: 0480 269 723.

Project timeline

2021

  • Site investigations
  • Technical Assessments

2022

  • Community engagement
  • Further engineering investigations
  • Project designs released
  • Early works

2023

  • Construction begins

2024

  • Construction

2025

  • Boom gates gone for good
  • New Keon Park Station open

*Timeline subject to change

Keeping in touch

To stay up to date, sign up for regular email updates.

If you have any questions or would like more information, call 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Sign up for SMS updates about the Keon Parade Level Crossing Removal Project by texting KEON to 0428 581 917.