Commuters in Melbourne’s south east can look forward to safer and more reliable journeys with major works underway to duplicate the track as part of the $1 billion Cranbourne Line Upgrade.
The fully duplicated track will see more trains, more often on the Cranbourne line, allowing trains to run every 10 minutes. Together with the Metro Tunnel and new bigger, better trains, the project will create capacity for 121,000 extra peak passengers every week on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.
Construction of the brand new Merinda Park Station is also one step closer, with the site now prepared to begin removing sections of the old station platform in August.
In response to community feedback, we’ve updated the designs for the new Merinda Park Station to include two lifts. The new station will have two platforms to accommodate the duplicated tracks and will feature a new pedestrian underpass with lifts, ramps and stairs to access the platforms and covered waiting areas. A dedicated drop-off and taxi zone has been moved closer to the station entrance to improve accessibility.
Nearby, the new road bridge at Evans Road, Lyndhurst is also taking shape. By the end of the year, the level crossing will be removed - reconnecting the communities of Lyndhurst, Lynbrook and Cranbourne West for the first time in 15 years.
Across Melbourne, 75 level crossings are being removed by 2025 - and the Cranbourne line will be the first to be level crossing free.
The duplication of the Cranbourne line will be completed in 2023 and will pave the way for planning a future extension of the line to Clyde.
For more information, see the Cranbourne Line Upgrade page.
