A new, architecturally designed Keon Park Station has opened to passengers, with upgraded facilities and improved access to the new station precinct, as part of the project that saw the removal of Keon Parade’s dangerous and congested level crossing.
The station is the 50th new or upgraded station on the metropolitan network delivered by the Victorian Government as part of the Level Crossing Removal Project. Gardiner Station in Glen Iris was the first in September 2015, and now new and upgraded stations are delivering better facilities and improved safety for passengers, from East Pakenham in the south to Mernda in the north and Hoppers Crossing in the west.
The new station provides more convenient access and improved connections to residential neighbourhoods, buses and Johnson Street shops, cafés, and eateries.
Keon Park Station allows for seamless connections between trains, buses, walking, cycling and taxis, to get locals where they need to go quickly and safely. The station has been built with sustainability front of mind, featuring 18 solar panels and recycled materials used throughout the precinct.
Works around the station precinct will continue into spring, with a second lift, stairs and more than 160 car parking spaces set to open. More than 220 trees and 44,500 shrubs will be planted in an expansive landscaped forecourt on the corner of Keon Parade and along High Street.
During construction, the project team was able to keep trains running on the Mernda Line for much of the time. Trains headed towards the city travelled on a new rail bridge over Keon Parade, while the Mernda-bound track remained at ground level as the second rail bridge was under construction. The old Keon Park Station was demolished in January with the level crossing removed mid May.
More than 18,000 vehicles travelled through the Keon Parade level crossing every day, where the boom gates could be down for more than 41 minutes during the morning peak.
