The Level Crossing Removal Project is removing 4 level crossings and building 2 new stations in Preston, improving safety, creating more local connections and allowing more trains to run more often.

By raising the Mernda line at Oakover Road, Bell Street, Cramer Street and Murray Road we’re creating new open space for the community to enjoy for generations to come.

The new Preston Station will be safer and more accessible, with features including:

• upgraded modern facilities and waiting rooms
• elevated platforms with seating protected from Melbourne’s weather
• lifts and stairs making it easier for everyone to catch the train
• more spaces to securely lock your bike.

Working with the Department of Transport and Metro Trains Melbourne, the new Preston Station meets their strict requirements, while also adhering to Victorian and Australian legislation for accessibility and safety.

Providing a welcoming gateway to Preston, the design of the new Preston Station makes it safer and more convenient gateway for locals and visitors to Preston. The bright coloured facade will feature a barcode that reflects the vivid colours of the produce found at Preston Market.

The new station precinct will provide an expansive open space creating new and safer connections to popular local destinations such as the Preston City Oval, Preston Market and the many retail outlets on High Street. Relocating the eastern station car park makes space for new shared walking and cycling paths through the area, making it easier for everyone to access the station and connect to the new open space along the rail corridor.

Preston Station opens late 2022.

Preston Station's new features

More green open spaces

Preston locals have told us they want to see more green open space.

New open space around Preston Station will have planting, seating and greenery to create inviting places for the community to enjoy. There will be a series of paths connecting streets east and west, removing the former divide between communities.

Improved accessibility

We heard that creating a space that is accessible for everyone is a priority for locals.

The new Preston Station design meets Disability Discrimination Act 1992 requirements and Australian design standards for access and mobility. There will be lifts to the platform at each station entrance that will be big enough to accommodate mobility scooters, wheelchairs and prams, and use a separate power supply.

The new waiting room will be located next to the ticket area for staff assistance and will include accessible toilets. Accessible permit parking, kiss-and-ride and taxi zones will be near station entrances.

Going green

Preston Station’s got green ambitions as a leader in sustainability.

Designed for water and energy efficiency, sustainable features include solar panels, rain water reuse, LED lighting in the station and car park, and environmentally sustainable materials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Walking and cycling

The community has asked for more walking and cycling paths to safely move around the area.

We’re creating improved walking and cycling paths to provide more ways for locals and visitors to get to Preston Station.

To maintain safety for passengers that walk to the station there is a dedicated cycling path around Preston Station, separating cyclists from pedestrians in this busy area. A new shared walking and cycling path to the station makes it easy to access for passengers that walk and ride to Preston Station and for locals who shop at Preston Market.

There’ll be a new signalised pedestrian crossing on Murray Road and a zebra crossing on Cramer Street, providing a safer and more direct route for passengers walking and cycling to the station from the north and south.

Bike hoops outside the station provide parking spaces for 51 bikes and a new Parkiteer cage provides safe and secure storage for 52 bikes.

Car parking

Some locals told us they want more car parking and others wanted less.

We’re maintaining the same number of car parks at Preston Station.

We’re upgrading and creating new car parking facilities to provide parking options to the north and south of Preston Station, with access from multiple streets. All 4 Preston Station car parks will make it safer and easier to get to the station for commuters.

Accessible permit parking will be closest to the station entrance at the Cramer Street car park, ensuring equitable access for all members of the community. The new station car park will feature CCTV cameras and LED lighting for increased safety. The new car parks will include new planting and landscaping.

Cramer Street car park (south–west)

The new car park will have 89 car spaces for commuters, accessible permit parking and Metro Trains staff parking. A kiss-and-ride facility will also be provided, allowing taxis and drivers to pick-up and drop-off passengers with spaces for 5 cars located south of Preston Station underneath the rail bridge.

St Georges Road car park (north–west)

The car park located on the north-west side of Preston Station will be upgraded with the number of car spaces to remain at 50. For driver safety, entry and exit will be via St Georges Road only.

Edith Street car park (south)

The car parking facilities on Edith Street will be upgraded with 65 car spaces. We’ll relocate 5 spaces from here to other car parks, to allow space needed for the new rail bridge.

Murray Road car park (north)

The new Murray Road station car park will replace the current commercial car park on Murray Road. We’ll convert the 25 paid car spaces to free parking and include an additional 25 car spaces, totalling 50 car spaces in this area. Entry and exit will be from Clinch Avenue.

Connections to local transport

We heard that creating smoother and safer connections between trains and buses is important to Preston locals.

The new station is designed to keep people moving and improve connections around the area.

There’ll be direct paths and a new signalised pedestrian crossing at Murray Road, making it safer and easier for passengers travelling by bus to get to the station.

We’re extending the bus bay to allow space for an additional bus waiting to collect passengers from the train.

There will also be separate kiss-and-ride and taxi zones for easy pick-up and drop-off with access via Cramer Street.

Enhancing Preston’s vibrancy

We heard that arts and culture is important to the community.

Often referred to as the heart of Preston, the Preston Market is the inspiration for the colour palette used in the design for Preston Station.

The bright colours reflect the vibrancy of fresh produce and items from around the world, which can be found at the next-door Preston Market. Like a barcode, the colours appear in harmony on the station facade but can stand out on their own and play with natural and artificial light.

The new Preston Station and elevated rail structure means that locals and Preston Market shoppers can enter and exit the new station safely via an east-west forecourt, allowing for faster, safer and more convenient access to the heart of Preston.

Questions and answers

When will the new Preston Station open?

Preston Station will open to passengers by late 2022.

Works will continue on landscaping, with the open space ready for the community to enjoy in 2023.

What safety features are there?

The new Preston Station is designed to Department of Transport and Metro Trains Melbourne standards.

There is CCTV on platforms, waiting areas and station entrances and facilities for Protective Services Officers. Clear sightlines and open and well-lit areas with LED lighting in the station and car park increases safety.

How do I get to the platform if lifts are broken?

The station lifts will be connected to an emergency uninterrupted power supply that enables the lifts to continue operating during the event of a power outage or emergency.

Where will the 4 new car parks be?

Passengers driving to the station will have the choice of 4 car parks. Two car parks are located on the west side of Preston Station with access from Cramer Street, which will also include the kiss-and-ride zone, and St Georges Road near the corner of Murray Road.

The proposed design also upgrades car parks on Edith Street and Clinch Avenue. All station car parking will be free.

Project timeline

Please note that the timeline shown is subject to change.