More trains, more often

The Victorian Government is investing more than $1 billion to duplicate the Cranbourne line, remove 4 level crossings and build a new Merinda Park Station - improving safety, reducing congestion and allowing for more trains more often.

The upgrade will allow trains to run every 10 minutes on the fully duplicated track, cutting travel times by up to 50 minutes per day. Once complete, the Cranbourne line will be completely level crossing free.

Major construction underway

Major works commenced in July 2020, with construction on the Cranbourne Line Upgrade deemed critical under Stage 4 restrictions and strict health and safety protocols implemented. The team has been working throughout the rail corridor - building crushed rock haul roads between Lynbrook Station and Cranbourne Station, removing vegetation, installing temporary rail safety fencing and undertaking site investigations.

While buses have replaced trains in recent months, our crews have worked around the clock to relocate underground train signalling, power cables and install new foundations and structures for overhead train power.

We also started building the second Abbotts Road rail bridge, constructed 135 new car park spaces at Lynbrook Station and continued works to build the new Merinda Park Station.

Project features

• a new Merinda Park Station
• 8km of new track to fully duplicate Cranbourne line
• removing all level crossings on the Cranbourne line
• upgrading and creating more walking and cycling connections in the area
• 135 more parking spaces at Lynbrook Station.

New Lynbrook Station car park open

As part of the Victorian Government's Car Parks for Commuters Program, we've expanded the car park at Lynbrook Station, with 135 new car spaces along with lighting and CCTV.

In August, we began constructing the new carpark spaces at Lynbrook Station. Opening in November, the new spaces feature improved lighting and CCTV to enhance security.

The new car parks free up parking in local streets. Together with the re-opening of Evans Road, which reconnects suburbs to the east and west of the tracks - the additional spaces will make it easier for locals to catch the train.

Upcoming works

Between now and the end of the year, we’ll work between Lynbrook and Cranbourne stations, to:

• install underground cables that support the operation of the trains between Lynbrook and Cranbourne
• build new concrete foundations and install steel structures to support the new overhead train line equipment between Lynbrook and Cranbourne
• construct haul roads along the rail corridor between Lynbrook and Cranbourne for construction vehicles and machinery
• put rail safety fencing in place throughout the alignment
• relocate utility services along Endeavour Drive
• install drainage along the rail corridor.

Evans Road gone for good

For the first time in 15 years, locals can now use Evans Road as a vital connection between communities of Lyndhurst, Lynbrook and Cranbourne West.

The road opened to vehicles on October 30 after 12 months of fast-tracked construction, with the new shared use path in use earlier in the month.

Evans Road is the first of 4 remaining crossings on the Cranbourne line to go as part of the Cranbourne Line

Upgrade Project. These vital upgrades will make the Cranbourne line free of level crossings, fully duplicated between Cranbourne and Dandenong, and deliver a brand-new Merinda Park Station.

Works are continuing in the area to landscape and signalise the intersection of Evans Road, Boland Drive and Merinda Park Boulevard, due to be complete early next year.

New shared use path to boost connectivity

We recently announced a new shared use path (SUP) will be constructed as part of the Cranbourne Line Upgrade project.

The new SUP will benefit cyclists and pedestrians by creating a direct route between Lynbrook, Merinda Park and Cranbourne stations and connecting with existing paths. This will create better, safer connections to shops, schools, services and train stations.

Thousands of local residents and hundreds of local businesses are set to benefit, with the new shared use path within 500m of 6000 homes and within 1km of 13,000 homes.

Works will begin towards the end of the year. It will initially be used as a safe haulage route for the Cranbourne Line Upgrade project before it is converted into a shared use path and opened to the community by 2023.

Merinda Park Station update

Construction of the brand-new Merinda Park Station is one step closer, with new platform foundation works underway. Merinda Park Station will remain open throughout much of the new station construction.

Work update

In September we started foundation works to support the new platforms and completed the removal of a section of the old platform.

From mid-October we built a retaining wall, installed structural steel and electrical and water services as part of platform works. Foundations for the lifts, ramps and stairs have been installed in November, with underpass works continuing. We have also poured the concrete foundation and installed the structural steel required for the secure bike parking facility.

Learn more about the project online

Throughout November we hosted a virtual information room that was available any time of day for the community to explore and enjoy.

For those who did have the chance to visit the virtual information room, we’d like to say thank you for your participation. We value your feedback and your insights to help us understand the value of this method in engaging with the community.

New Merinda Park Station timeline

2020

• Partial existing station demolition
• New station works begin

2021

• New station construction continues
• Track duplication works

2022

• Constructing platforms and buildings
• Constructing underpass, ramps and lifts to platforms and forecourt

2023

* Please note that the timeline above is subject to change.

Progress at Greens Road

Major construction is now well underway to remove the level crossing at Greens Road. This month crews will start installing piers to support the new 600m rail bridge.

Further along the line at Abbotts Road, several piers have already gone up to create a second rail bridge, ready for the duplicated track. Beams to form the bridge structure will also be delivered to site this month.

Project timeline

2020

• Track duplication works commence
• Works begin to build new Merinda Park Station
• Evans Road reopens
• Extra spaces added to Lynbrook Station car park
• Greens Road level crossing removal works commence

2021-2022

• Merinda Park Station construction and duplication work continues

2023

• Cranbourne Line duplication works complete
• New Merinda Park Station completed

2025

• All Cranbourne Line level crossings gone for good

* Please note that the timeline is subject to change.

Health and safety

The health and safety of our workers and community is our key priority as we continue works on the Cranbourne Line Upgrade. To find out more about the measures in place on our projects, visit our website.

For information about coronavirus, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au

Keep up to date

Call us on 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au