We’ve celebrated the opening of the new Chelsea pedestrian bridge above the Frankston Line and completion of a new 11km walking and cycling path between Edithvale and Frankston as part of Level Crossing Removal Project works.
The project at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach has seen 5 dangerous and congested level crossings consigned to history, 4 new road connections opened above the lowered Frankston line, 3 new stations created, 5 new pedestrian crossings built, and 10 existing pedestrian crossings upgraded.
The almost 7m-wide pedestrian bridge, close to the new Chelsea train station, creates a spectacular new local landmark — connecting commuters and pedestrians quickly and easily from Station Street to the Nepean Highway shopping strip.
Our crews have also finished the new sections of walking and cycling path along the railway side of Station Street which link up to create a continuous 11km path from Edithvale to Frankston for commuters, joggers, walkers and cyclists to enjoy.
The walking and cycling path has been a multi-year project. The first stage of the path opened between Kananook and Frankston in November 2019 and the second between Carrum and Seaford opened in December 2020.
On either side of the new Chelsea pedestrian bridge, 2 images viewers provide historical and contemporary representations of the suburb. Known as stereoscopic boxes, the Station Street box shows a black and white image of the old Chelsea Station from the 1920s. On the Nepean Highway side, the box features the artwork Feathers by Bunurong artist Adam Magennis, which portrays a contemporary perspective on Chelsea.
An official opening celebration for the new pedestrian bridge and walking and cycling path was held on Thursday 16 June 2022.
As part of the event, the Bunurong Land Council performed a traditional Welcome to Country and a smoking ceremony, and the Stakeholder Liaison Group toured the new Chelsea Station precinct.
By the middle of 2022, our crews will install a stunning new public artwork next to the new pedestrian bridge. Artist James Tapscott’s work Pluma will comprise a total of 10 blades of grass and is a sculptural interpretation of the grasses found growing along the sand dunes at Chelsea Beach. The artwork is in 2 parts, which will be placed on either side of the pedestrian bridge.
The finishing works at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach include planting more than 800 trees and 85,000 shrubs, groundcovers and grasses and installing a new public artwork at Edithvale.
The Victorian Government is investing an unprecedented $4 billion in the Frankston Line to remove of 20 level crossings and build 13 new stations by 2025.
