Beginning on 4 May 2018, a major construction blitz will see the 20th dangerous and congested level crossing in Melbourne removed and the new Frankston Station a step closer to completion.
Buses will replace trains between Frankston and Carrum and on the Stony Point line from 4 May to the last service on 17 June. From 28 May to the last service on 17 June, buses will replace trains between Frankston and Kananook on the Frankston Line, and between Leawarra and Kananook on the Stony Point Line.
During this time, 24 concrete beams, known as U-troughs will travel overnight along a specially identified route, 146km from their production facility in Kilmore to the work site in Frankston.
Each beam, weighing 280 tonnes and measuring 31m long, will be transported individually to minimise disruptions over 24 nights, between early April and mid May.
Traffic management will be in place along the truck’s carefully planned route, which includes the Hume Freeway, Epping-Kilmore Road, Metropolitan Ring Road, Greensborough Highway, Eastern Freeway and Eastlink.
To allow for the arrival of these beams, the level crossing at Skye/Overton Road will also close from 6 April to 17 June, with detours in place during this time.
Once on site, these beams will be lifted into place and together form the new rail bridge over Skye/Overton Road, permanently separating rail from road and removing another level crossing for good.
In preparation for works to begin at Frankston Station, station facilities will be relocated to temporary buildings in the Fletcher Road car park from 22 April to allow for a rail replacement bus station to operate during the station closure from Friday 4 May to Sunday 17 June.
To minimise disruption to commuters, works will also continue on the Seaford Road level crossing removal as well as allowing Frankston Station to reopen to passengers when trains return in June.
More information about the U-trough transportation project will be provided closer to the start date.