20 December 2023

That’s a wrap for 2023

Thank you for your patience as we get closer to making Pakenham level crossing free.

We've made a lot of progress in 2023 as we work towards removing the dangerous and congested level crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road in Pakenham and build new stations at Pakenham and East Pakenham.

The year has finished with a major milestone – the team installed the final L-beams that form the 2 rail bridges. These bridges will carry trains through a level crossing free Pakenham by the end of 2024.

Pakenham Station has gained some coverage with the first panels installed on the canopy on the southern side of the station. East Pakenham is also taking shape with the platform foundations in place, lift shafts installed and car park asphalted.

All 3 level crossings will be gone for good and the 2 new modern stations will be open in 2024, making journeys on Melbourne’s busiest train line more reliable and providing better connections to public transport and the town centre.

The beam dream team

We were busy heavy lifting in 2023 as all 272 L-beams were craned into place to create the 2.5km elevated rail bridge.

The team ticked off major milestones this year, installing beams over McGregor Road and Main Street in April, and Racecourse Road in October.

Each beam was made in Victoria and measures between 25m to 32m in length and weighs up to 135 tonnes.

Now the rail bridge is in place, the team will continue installing the 6500 sleepers and 7.8km of new rail track required for the bridge, along with 18,000 tonnes of ballast, sourced from a local quarry.

Building big in Pakenham

The new Pakenham Station has risen from the ground in 2023. The team began the year piling foundations for station buildings and installing services underground.

Pakenham Station, early 2023 Pakenham Station, late 2023 A large concrete slab followed, paving the way for the framework of the new premium station, including installation of the lift shafts and stairs that will take passengers up to the platform to catch the train.

On the south side of the station, 14 steel poles - or canopy columns - were also installed. These 15m high poles support the structural steel of the station’s roof, which includes 14 skylights.

The team has begun to install the first of the 258 panels that will create a bronzed roof inspired by Pakenham’s rolling hills and bronze sunsets.

East Pakenham Station

The team at East Pakenham Station made significant progress this year.

They constructed new train tracks to minimise disruption while works on the new station and underpass got underway. In June, when buses replaced trains, we connected the new tracks to the existing ones near Racecourse Road. This allowed us to start building on the southern side of the new station.

With digging and excavation complete, the team installed 6 giant concrete beams, known as ‘Super T’s’ to form the underpass and the station platforms. Lift shafts and stairs for platform access were also installed.

Away from the station and underpass, the staff buildings are nearly complete, and the car park is asphalted, ready for commuters in 2024.

What’s happening in January?

Work will stop on our sites on Friday 22 December and recommence on Wednesday 10 January.

During January, the project team will be:

  • Continuing to install track, sleepers and ballast in the rail bridge from Main Street to Racecourse Road
  • Working on the internal areas of the station buildings at Pakenham and East Pakenham – Focused on Ryan Road upgrade works.

What to expect:

  • Construction vehicles and machinery movement
  • Increased noise, dust and vibration
  • Additional lighting at times
  • Traffic management and detour signage
  • Works between Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm, and Saturday 7am to 3pm.

Pakenham Road Upgrade's disruptions

  • Closure of Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road between Southeast Boulevard and Princes Freeway, including the freeway inbound exit and entry ramps, between 7pm Wednesday 3 January and 7pm Thursday 25 January 2024.
  • Closure of McGregor Road between the southern roundabout and the Henry Road/Webster Way intersection and the freeway outbound exit ramp, between 7pm Monday 29 January to 5am Monday 4 March.

Project timeline

2019

  • Site investigations
  • Technical and engineering assessments
  • Community engagement

Early 2021

  • Community engagement
  • Further engineering investigations

Mid 2021

  • Station designs announced

Late 2021

  • Open space community consultation

Early works 2022

  • Construction
  • Open space designs released

2023

  • Construction

2024

  • Boom gates gone for good
  • Pakenham and East Pakenham stations open
  • Community space open

* Timeline subject to change.

View the PDF

Pakenham community update \u2013 December 2023 (PDF 2.5 MB)