With the 2 vibrant and state-of-the-art stations now open at Bell and Preston, we're now focused on building 3 MCGs of new open space under the 2km rail line in Preston.
The new open space will be ready next year and will feature play and exercise areas, an amphitheatre to the west of Bell Station, a barbecue area and casual seating.
In the design stage of the Preston Level Crossing Removal Project, the team worked in collaboration with the Wurundjeri People as the traditional custodians of the land to co-design some sections of the project.
In the Oakover Green open space (between Oakover Road and Bell Station) there are a number of elements that represent women in traditional Indigenous life. One of these elements includes a formalised yarning circle which celebrates women and promotes opportunities for cultural learning and knowledge sharing.
The entire open space will be connected by walking and cycling paths and the continuous use of native planting will create a story across the whole revitalised area with planting that will include native grasses and flowering varieties as well as thousands of trees. The landscaping work will be completed by Wamarra, an Aboriginal owned and operated civil contractor.
To explore the updated plans in more detail, check out our landscaping roll plots below.
The level crossings at Oakover Road, Bell Street, Cramer Street and Murray Road in Preston were removed in May this year by building a rail bridge over the 4 roads on the Mernda Line.
About 82,000 vehicles passed through these 4 level crossings each day, and the boom gates were down for up to 40% of the morning peak.
The Level Crossing Removal Project is removing 85 dangerous and congested level crossings by 2025, with 67 gone for good already, boosting safety and easing congestion across Melbourne. Another 8 level crossing removals on the Upfield Line have recently been added, and these will be gone in 2027.
