Designs to improve Glenhuntly Station in Melbourne’s south-east have been revealed as part of the removal of the 2 dangerous and congested level crossings at Neerim Road and Glen Huntly Road.
The designs reflect the community’s desire for a contemporary station that complements the local architecture by incorporating materials such as bricks, light coloured granite and bluestone.
The project features:
- a spacious station forecourt with landscaping and seating
- a new tram stop
- lifts and stairs for easy access to the platforms
- improved car parking including 6 disability bays and 3 kiss-and-ride bays
- secure Parkiteer bike cages and parking hoops
- better lighting and security cameras throughout the precinct
- the construction of a Changing Places accessible toilet facility
- a pedestrian and cycle path to connect Ormond and Caulfield
- a new pocket park on Neerim Road
The existing level crossings will be removed by lowering the rail line into an approximately 1km long trench and building 2 road bridges – employing hundreds of workers at the peak of construction.
Major works have been fast-tracked to start next year, with the whole project to finish a year earlier than planned in 2024.
Commuters currently endure significant delays because the boom gates can be down for almost 60% of the morning peak, as up to 40 trains run through both crossings.
Glen Huntly also has one of Melbourne’s last remaining tram squares, and the manually operated level crossing requires trains to slow considerably – often delaying the more than 200 trams that pass through each day.
Once the boom gates are gone for good in 2023, the Frankston line will be level crossing free between Flinders Street and Moorabbin Station.
The Level Crossing Removal Project has already removed 46 dangerous and congested level crossings and is well on track to remove 75 by 2025 – with one being removed every 4 weeks on average this year.
