Works to remove 5 dangerous and congested level crossings and build 3 new stations at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach are powering ahead with the major dig out of 3 new rail trenches complete and 4 new road bridges open.
The big dig started last month to excavate the three rail trenches which are each around 1km long and up to 7m deep and truck away a mammoth 200,000 cubic metres of soil — enough to fill 80 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The trenches have been dug to lower the Frankston line under the road network and consign to history five level crossings at Edithvale Road, Edithvale; Swanpool Avenue, Chelsea; Chelsea Road, Chelsea; Argyle Avenue, Chelsea and Bondi Road, Bonbeach.
Above the rail trenches, 4 new road bridges have opened at Edithvale Road, Edithvale, Thames Promenade, Chelsea, Argyle Avenue, Chelsea and Bondi Road, Bonbeach. The Thames Promenade bridge creates a new east-west road connection across the rail corridor, taking drivers directly to the Mornington Peninsula Freeway.
Crews will now lay 9km of new rail tracks in the trenches to separate trains from motorists and pedestrians, thereby improving safety, reducing road congestion, enable more frequent trains on one of Melbourne’s busiest lines and revitalising the 3 bayside suburbs.
The 3 modern, accessible and safer stations are also rapidly taking shape to make commuting to work, school, the city, Frankston and beyond easier and more convenient.
A big shout out to residents and traders for their understanding and patience during what has been a challenging time as more trucks have been using local roads to shift away the excavated soil.
The 5 level crossing removals at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach are part of a more than $3 billion investment in the Frankston line to get rid of 20 level crossings and build 13 new stations by 2025.
