Your new stations are taking shape

The new St Albans and Ginifer stations are coming to life as the project reaches another major milestone.

Both station buildings were built in a factory across town using cutting edge 3D modelling, while the crews continued to prepare the groundwork at each site in St Albans. The project engaged Pre-Built, an Australian owned business which specialises in prefabricated commercial and residential buildings, to construct the stations.

Prebuilding the stations inside boosted efficiency by enabling multiple works to occur at the same time, meaning the stations could be installed sooner. It also improved the quality and safety of the construction process, by removing variables like weather conditions and space-constraints on site.

These new St Albans Station was installed in mid-July and the new Ginifer Station building was installed in early August. Works will continue on both stations' concourses and fit out through August and September.

To view more images and watch the video of the landing visit our YouTube channel.

Removal timeline

July 2016

• Completion of the station foundations and installation of the building modulars for the new Ginifer and St Albans stations.

October 2016

• Four week closure of the Sunbury line to realign rail tracks into the new cutting.
• Furlong Road closed at times to complete road works.

November 2016

• Boom gates are gone and Main Road will be closed at times to complete road works.

May 2017

• Project complete – including new St Albans Station with the relocated bus interchange incorporated into the station precinct, new Ginifer Station, a cycling and walking path, landscaping and new station car parks.

New shops coming to St Albans station

The Victorian Government is investing in St Albans' future by developing retail spaces in the new St Albans Station, which is being rebuilt as part of the Level Crossing Removal Project.

The addition of 700 square metres of premium retail and commercial space to the new station will provide commuters and the community with convenient shops and services in the heart of the redeveloped transport hub.

The station will become a focal point of the St Albans town centre, providing places to meet, socialise, or visit while they are waiting for trains or buses.

Coupled with the removal of the level crossing at Main Road, the retail development will improve connections between the station and the rest of St Albans.

VicTrack is looking for a diverse range of tenants to fill the spaces, to maximise the benefit of the development for locals and complement what is on offer in the rest of St Albans.

VicTrack has appointed real estate agents Knight Frank to find tenants for the prominent retail spaces, who are currently running an expression of interest process.

What's happening?

Earthworks and more earthworks

Currently, crews are busy focusing on excavation and laying the foundations for the new lowered rail line to help ensure it is ready on time.

There will be ongoing minimal disruption works along the corridor from the South of Furlong Road to the North of Main Road rail crossing, due to excavation, rock breaking, soil nail drilling and grouting to stabilise the new corridor walls.

Please note, there will be no planned loud works after 6pm at night unless the project team notifies you otherwise. However, there may be minimal earthworks movement within the lowered corridor.

Main Road

Ruth Street pedestrian bridge construction

Fencing has been installed to contain the work area for the new Ruth Street pedestrian bridge and crews will focus on earthworks, piling, concrete pour, as well as the installation of concrete ramps, stairs and services. Access across the current footpath will be maintained and traffic management will be on site to provide any guidance to pedestrians.

From Monday 3 October, access across the current footbridge at Ruth Street will be temporarily closed until Monday 31 October for the crews to finish installing the bridge and surrounding paths. Access across the tracks will be provided just south at the Inner Circus footbridge.

Station car park works

Early works in the St Albans Road station car park for the new public transport interchange will commence in August. Works will include checking for existing drainage and some tree removal. Some of the car spaces may be temporarily closed at various times while crews work. Please refer to signs at  the station for updated information or contact the project team.

Night road works – Main Road West and Main Road East

From Monday 8 August to Friday 19 August, road works will be carried out from 7pm to 7am at Main Road West/West Esplanade and East Esplanade/Main Road West/St Albans Road intersections for drainage, gas and traffic signals. Roads will remain open but traffic management  will be in place at all times and single lane closures may be in place.

Gas and water services near Margrave Street

There will be crews near Margrave Street during normal working hours to commence the installation of the new lowered gas and water services across the rail corridor. Traffic management will be in place to assist pedestrians and road users.

Furlong Road

Mulhall Drive pedestrian footpath

From now until early October 2016 there will be minor access changes to Ginifer Station while we undertake works to excavate and remove rocks and soil for the new lowered rail tracks. The new Mulhall Drive pedestrian footpath will be opened on Willaton Street with access into the station relocated further east towards Bond Avenue. Please pay attention to signs and follow directions from our project staff at all times.

New Ginifer Station night works

To fast track progress, the project will be doing night works within the rail corridor, and on the new Ginifer Station. These works will be performed underneath Furlong Road, in preparation of the new platform which will include concrete installation and general concrete preparation works. Crews will also be seen working around the newly landed station building, installing the external façade.

Low level noise from generators and trucks may be expected, however the project will monitor this throughout the works focusing on the equipment being used. The project will use quieter reversing beepers and where possible we will arrange loading activities to avoid reversing.

Changed traffic conditions along Willaton Street

At times the southbound lane on Willaton Street from Furlong Road to Clare Street will be closed. Traffic travelling down Willaton Street from Willis Street will be diverted through Clare Street and onto Furlong Road, with the help of traffic controllers. The speed limit has been reduced down to 40km/hr at all times on Willaton Street to ensure the safety of local residents, motorists and pedestrians within the area.

These works are to be carried out at various times and dates between now and October and we encourage patrons to shop locally and support local businesses within the area during this time.

Community corner

Locals get safety savvy in St Albans

The Main Road Level Crossing Removal project team has worked with local organisation CommUnity Plus to help adult English students learn about safety in the workplace.

CommUnity Plus is an organisation to help locals in our region to engage in meaningful and productive activities that strengthen our communities by giving everyone a sense of belonging and participation.

One service CommUnity Plus provides is Adult Education. As part of the adult English class CommUnity Plus runs, the teachers approached the Main Road Level Crossing Removal project to support the students in their topic of safety.

The project team was happy to host two safety signage awareness tours to provide a great integration opportunity for locals while also having a real-life learning experience about safety awareness in the workplace, and the importance of understanding and recognising safety information signs.

The team hosted 2 tours for around 30 students from the centre, which featured a visit to the site office and a walk and talk along the side of the worksite. Students enjoyed learning from the site view and seeing safety signs in action for such an important construction project in St Albans.

"It is always great to engage directly with the community. Safety on the work site is essential — so it is a good opportunity for us to share that with the wider St Albans community so they are informed and safe when moving around the project precinct," said Dave Houlihan, Project Superintendent.

Open for business

Local businesses and traders within St Albans and especially those closest to the works at Main Road and Furlong Road will remain open for business at all times during works.

The project team will ensure adequate signs, traffic management and detours in place so people can still access the community shopping precincts. Please contact your local businesses for more information on opening times.