Progress in Pakenham

Works are full steam ahead as we make Pakenham level crossing free.

We’re removing the dangerous and congested level crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road in Pakenham by building a rail bridge over the roads, and building new stations at Pakenham and East Pakenham.

We’re getting close to installing the last L-beam that forms the 2.5km rail bridge that will carry trains through a level crossing free Pakenham in 2024.

The new stations are taking shape. Once complete, both stations will provide modern facilities and more services for Pakenham locals.

We also recently celebrated the reopening of Henty Street to traffic in both directions. We thank the community for their patience while Henty Street was reduced to one lane as we installed L-beams on the rail bridge.

All 3 level crossings in Pakenham will be gone next year, making journeys on Melbourne's busiest train line more reliable and local roads safer.

Why these level crossings need to go

• 63,000 vehicles use these crossings each weekday
• Boom gates down for more than 30 minutes of the morning peak
• 170 Metro and V/Line trains pass through the level crossings daily
• 90,000 passengers use the Cranbourne – Pakenham Line each day

Beam there, done that: Celebrating another successful installation

The elevated rail bridge is nearing completion as we install the final L-beams over Racecourse Road. The project celebrated a milestone with the 200th L-beam in place between McGregor Road and Main Street.

272 L-beams will form the 2.5km bridge and there are currently less than 50 L-beams left to install, which will happen in October.

Once the L-beams are in place, the team will pour concrete where the 2 L-beams connect in the middle of the bridge. Then, they will install drainage, handrails and screens along the bridge before installing track and ballast.

Raising the roof at Pakenham Station

The local Pakenham community will have noticed the recently installed 15m, 3 tonne steel poles known as ‘main canopy columns’ around the new Pakenham Station.

These poles will support the state-of-the-art roof canopy to be built. There are 14 placed on the southern side of the station which surround the recently completed lift shafts. A further 14 canopy columns and lift shafts will be placed on the northern side of the station in 2024. The team have also been busy on the ground around the columns and lift shafts, recently completing the foundations and electrical services for the future station buildings.

Lifting big at East Pakenham Station

Heavy lifting has been happening in East Pakenham to get the underpass and station platform foundations in place.

Six giant concrete beams, known as ‘Super T’s’ and 36 station platform panels, were recently installed over 2 days. The beams help shape the underpass and platform foundations where the future track will be.

The 36 tonne, 20m Super-T’s for the underpass are the heaviest item for the East Pakenham Station precinct. With excavation complete in the underpass, the team will begin to install the underpass entrance walls, foundations for the lifts and stairs to the platform above.

Once the station is open, the underpass will create pedestrian access from the north via Ryan Road and the south via Sharnet Circuit.

Thank you, Henty Street

A major milestone was recently ticked off as Henty Street was reopened in both directions in late August. After 12 months of works, the rail bridge is in place between McGregor Road and Main Street. Residents of Henty and surrounding streets were treated to a party to thank them for their ongoing patience. Over 50 people came to celebrate the milestone and discuss the project with a sausage sizzle cooked by the Rotary Club of Pakenham and hot drinks from StiffShot Coffee.

Works will now focus on completing the rail bridge and preparing the open space area for landscaping.

Creating a healthy and connected community

For over 3 decades, the Pakenham Living and Learning Centre has been providing training, education, support, and empowering the community in a supportive and flexible environment.

Established in 1989 as the former Pakenham Neighbourhood House, the centre is supported by Cardinia Shire Council and many volunteers who help the 1500 visitors to the centre each week.

The centre facilitates community development programs and activities focusing on the disadvantaged and/or vulnerable. These programs cover critical skills such as business management, creative courses like painting and sewing as well as health and wellbeing classes including tai chi and yoga. Additionally, various multicultural services and community groups are available, including English as an additional language, the African Community Homework Club, Cardinia Men’s Shed and Women’s Friendship Café.

The centre operates a community garden and pantry open to the public 24/7. The pantry is located on the entry deck and relies on donations. There is a sign that reads, 'take what you need, leave what you can.' The Pakenham level crossing removal project team are running an internal donation campaign to help stock the pantry.

Volunteers are a major part of all the centre’s programs. To find out how you can get involved, or for more information visit the Living and Learning Centre website.

Keeping in touch

To stay up to date subscribe to our email updates and sign up to the Pakenham Level Crossing Removal Project.

Text PAKENHAM to 0428 581 917 to sign up for SMS 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, 7 days a week.

We have a dedicated team working with the community and train passengers to keep you informed about what's happening during each stage of construction.

Project Timeline

2020

• 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
• Timeline subject to change.

2023

• Construction

2024

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