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

The Victorian Government is removing six dangerous level crossings and building seven modern new stations as part of a $2 billion investment to upgrade the Mernda line.

One is already gone, four in Preston are going for good later this year and we'll remove the level crossing at Keon Parade and open the new Keon Park Station in 2025.

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

Removing this crossing will improve safety, reduce congestion and allow more trains, more often.

Why this level crossing needs to go

Improve traffic flow

• More than 18,000 vehicles travel through this crossing each weekday

Slash travel times

• Boom gates are down for up to 41 minutes during morning peak (7am to 9am)

Improve safety

• One serious crash and 24 near-misses in the last nine years

Improve reliability

• 33,000 passengers use the Mernda line each day
• 30 trains pass through the level crossing during morning peak (7am to 9am)

Project benefits

• new 750-metre elevated rail bridge to take trains over Keon Parade
• new modern Keon Park Station south of Keon Parade
• improved safety and accessibility for pedestrians, bus and train passengers, cyclists and motorists
• new local connections, including a new pedestrian crossing across High Street at Hughes Parade
• ease congestion on the busy M80 Ring Road and 903 SmartBus Route
• improved traffic flow and easing congestion on roads
• allows more trains to run more often.

Building a 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 design that works well for one area may not necessarily suit another.

Based on the technical, engineering and safety assessments, building a rail bridge over the road was determined the best solution for the Keon Parade project.

Additional benefits of this design include opportunities for new local connections, bike paths, car parking and more convenient access between train and bus services.

The 750-metre long rail bridge will start to rise from JC Donath Reserve, Reservoir and will lower at the Thomastown Industrial Precinct.

Further site investigations are currently underway, with early works to start later this year.

From early 2023, you’ll see more construction while we work around the clock to build the rail bridge and new station.

The boom gates will be gone for good and the new Keon Park Station will open in 2025, making journeys faster and local roads safer.

Benefits of building a rail bridge

• more efficient construction so we can get rid of this level crossing sooner
• fewer disruptions for drivers and train passengers as the rail bridge can be built while the Mernda line continues to operate
• minimal impacts on underground utilities
• more trees and vegetation retained.

New Keon Park Station

A new Keon Park Station is being built as part of the level crossing removal, with modern facilities for the community.

Designed with safety and convenience in mind, the new station will be built in a new location on the south side of Keon Parade.

The new Keon Park Station precinct will provide easier access to the station, new local connections for the community and convenient access to shops and public transport.

The integrated transport hub will give commuters improved connections between train, bus and taxi services with new bus stops, secure Parkiteer bike storage and a pick-up and drop-off zone all within the precinct.

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.

Features of the new station precinct

• CCTV and more lighting to create a safer station precinct
• lifts and stairs making it more accessible for everyone to catch the train
• central elevated island platform with seating and standing areas protected from weather
• all-ability access to trains
• upgraded modern facilities with two station entries
• convenient access to local shops and public transport
• dedicated pick-up and drop-off zone, close to the station
• new Parkiteer secure bike storage.

Removing more boom gates on the Mernda Line

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.

We've already removed the level crossing at High Street in Reservoir and built a brand new Reservoir Station.

Works are underway to remove the level crossings at Oakover Road, Bell Street, Cramer Street and Murray Road in Preston which will be gone for good later this year. This means that Bell Street will be level crossing-free. We're also building the new Preston and Bell Stations.

Now we're removing the crossing at Keon Parade with the boom gates gone for good and the new Keon Park Station opening in 2025.

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