Keon Parade’s level crossing to go in 2025

We’re removing the dangerous and congested level crossing at Keon Parade and building a new Keon Park Station.

The Victorian Government is investing $2 billion to upgrade the Mernda line to improve safety, reduce congestion, and allow more trains to run more often.

The Keon Parade level crossing is one of six being removed on the Mernda line. One is already gone, 4 are going this year and we'll remove the level crossing at Keon Parade in 2025.

Extensive engineering and technical assessments have confirmed building a rail bridge over Keon Parade is the best way to remove this level crossing.

A new Keon Park Station with modern facilities will be built in a new location on the south side of Keon Parade.

Construction will start next year with Keon Parade’s boom gates gone for good and the new Keon Park Station open in 2025.

The removal of the Keon Parade level crossing will change how locals live, work and travel. With no level crossing journeys will be faster and local roads safer.

Why this level crossing needs to go

• More than 18,000 vehicles travel through the level crossing each weekday
• Boom gates are down for up to 41 minutes during morning peak (7am to 9am)
• 30 trains travel through the crossing during morning peak (7am to 9am)
• One serious crash and 24 near misses in the past nine years
• 33,000 passengers use the Mernda line each day

Your new Keon Park Station

We’re building a modern Keon Park Station in a new location on the south side of Keon Parade.

Designed with safety and convenience in mind, the new station precinct will provide easier access and new local connections to shops, buses and neighbourhoods for the community.

Technical and engineering assessments determined that it’s not viable to build the new Keon Park Station north of Keon Parade due to the narrow rail corridor, overhead power transmission lines and other significant utilities assets crossing the rail corridor.

Removing this level crossing will

New local connections
The project will revitalise the Keon Park Station precinct with new local connections and walking and cycling paths making it easier to visit shops and public transport.

Faster travel times
Reduce congestion on roads and cut travel time to the M80 Ring Road and the 903 SmartBus Route.

Easier station access
The new Keon Park Station will offer convenient access for residents and workers from Reservoir and Thomastown, including a new pedestrian crossing across High Street at Hughes Parade.

Features of the new station precinct

• CCTV and more lighting to create a safer station precinct
• Central elevated island platform with seating and standing areas protected from weather
• Upgraded modern facilities with two station entries
• Dedicated pick-up and drop-off zone, close to the station
• Lifts and stairs making it more accessible for everyone to catch the train
• All-ability access to trains
• Convenient access to local shops and public transport
• New Parkiteer secure bike storage.

A new rail bridge over Keon Parade

Each level crossing is unique and our engineers consider a range of factors when determining how best to remove the boom gates.

A rail bridge over Keon Parade with a new Keon Park Station will deliver the best outcome for the community because:

• we can remove this level crossing sooner
• more efficient construction with less disruption to road users and passengers on the Mernda line
• more trees and vegetation can be retained
• minimal impacts on underground utilities in the area.

Detailed engineering and design work will continue, and we’ll share further information with the community in late 2022.

Opportunities to get involved

Have your say

Tell us what’s important to you for the Keon Parade level crossing removal and new Keon Park Station.

We want to hear what locals love about the neighbourhood and how you move around the area including:

• What would you like to see in the new station precinct?
• What would you like to see delivered as part of the project?

Along with our technical investigations, your feedback will help us shape the final design.

Share your views online at Engage Victoria by 11.59 pm, 25 April 2022.

Planning approval

Planning for this project will proceed under Clause 52.03 of the Darebin and Whittlesea Planning schemes.

We’re seeking community submissions on a range of planning matters including:

• construction-related impacts
• environmental impacts
• amenity impacts
• native vegetation
• heritage.

The consultation period is now open and you have the opportunity to provide a submission.

All submissions received will be included in a public consultation summary report.

This report will inform the Minister for Planning’s assessment of the project under Clause 52.03.

You can make your planning submission online at Engage Victoria by 11.59 pm, 25 April 2022.

If you would like a hard copy submission form sent to you, call us on 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

For more information

If you would like more information about the Keon Parade Level Crossing Removal Project, please contact us below:

• Phone 1800 105 105 24hrs 7 days a week
• Email us contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au
• Register for our Keon Parade e-mail updates
• Send us a private message on our Facebook page.

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