Things are shaping up for the new Ringwood East Station, with the arrival of the first 2 modular buildings that will form the new station.
Measuring up to 16m long, the 2 buildings will house vital signalling and power services and are the first of the 4 prefabricated buildings that will make up the new station.
The modular design enables the buildings to be built offsite and then delivered and lifted into place at different stages of construction to lower the rail line into a trench under Dublin Road.
While this method has the benefit of shortening construction time and reducing impacts to the local community, the logistics of delivering the oversized buildings to site takes months of careful planning, according to Ringwood East Station senior project manager and engineer Sophie Stone.
“The actual lift only takes 15 to 20 minutes, it’s everything else that takes so much time. The planning starts months in advance,” Sophie said.
“It is logistically challenging when you are trying to coordinate with so many disciplines on site at the same time and working with live rail.”
The design and fabrication of the station buildings has been almost 2 years in the making. The remaining 2 buildings will be delivered from Adelaide later this year, positioned either side of the concourse.
When completed, the new Ringwood East Station will feature 2 station entrances, new connections around the station precinct and upgraded car park spaces with lighting and CCTV.
The Lilydale Line will be level crossing free in 2024, a year ahead of schedule.
