The Cheltenham and Mentone level crossing removal project has been named the winner of the project category, Victorian division at the Australian Engineering Excellence Awards 2022.
The project – which include 3 level crossing removals and brand new stations at Cheltenham and Mentone – is now a finalist for the Australian division of the awards.
The dangerous and congested level crossings at Balcombe Road in Mentone, and Charman and Park roads in Cheltenham were removed in 2020, with the rail line lowered into a trench and the roads rebuilt at their existing level.
The new Mentone and Cheltenham stations also opened in 2020. At Mentone, the existing heritage-listed station can be found as part of a new ‘heritage deck’ over the rail line.
The new Cheltenham Station features 2 sets of lifts and stairs, a new forecourt, and community open space along Charman Road featuring the much loved and iconic station palm trees.
The new modern stations in Cheltenham and Mentone are 5 star Green Star design rated and include solar panels, water saving and rainwater collection, and will significantly reduce potential greenhouse gas emissions.
The project also included more than 3km of walking and cycling paths connecting the Mentone and Cheltenham station precincts, improved lighting, accessibility and car parking.
The Level Crossing Removal Project also won the Victorian division at the Australian Engineering Excellence Awards in 2020, for the Caulfield to Dandenong and Seaford and Carrum projects.
The Level Crossing Removal Project is removing 85 dangerous and congested level crossings in Melbourne. Removing 65 level crossings since 2015 has saved more than 40 hours of boom gate down time in the morning peak each weekday, delivered 35 new and upgraded stations and unlocked more than 20 MCGs worth of open space, improving communities all over the city.
