Three sets of boom gates will be gone, and two new stations will open in Pakenham this winter.
Work is progressing at pace to remove 3 level crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road and build new stations at Pakenham and East Pakenham, with a final major construction blitz for the project taking place from mid May.
The new elevated Pakenham Station will become the centrepiece of the town centre, including a new forecourt complete with seating, landscaping and an integrated bus interchange – creating easier and safer local connections.
A new East Pakenham Station is being built and will help improve reliability for metropolitan and regional train services, allowing Metro and V/Line trains to crossover and bypass each other, minimising congestion and delays. The station will open to passengers as housing developments in the new suburb start to take shape.
From 9pm, Friday 17 May to early June, buses will replace trains between Berwick and Pakenham, as a crew of 200 work around the clock to demolish the old Pakenham Station and finish the elevated 2.5km rail bridge.
When trains return in early June, the level crossings will be gone, and the new Pakenham and East Pakenham stations will open to passengers. While the station will be open, works will continue as crews install lifts and permanent stairs at Pakenham Station over the coming months.
There will also be short road closures at Pakenham’s level crossings in May. Main Street and McGregor Road will close again in June and July for line marking and road resurfacing works.
Commuters are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time.
The level crossings at Main Street, McGregor Road and Racecourse Road in Pakenham are 3 of 22 crossings being removed along the Pakenham Line.
The crossings will be removed by building a rail bridge over the roads, creating new community open space for locals to enjoy for generations to come.
