We thank locals for their patience during our winter construction blitz, where we relocated major underground services, including electricity, gas, sewerage and drainage. During this intense period, we often worked 24/7 to complete as much of this work as possible before the end of year trading period.
We completed essential works while buses replaced trains on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines from Friday 8 July to Sunday 24 July. Across 16 days we worked 24/7 to excavate around 100 truck loads of soil, then poured 659 cubic metres of concrete to install 6 large concrete bridge abutments which will support the road bridges over the trench.
We lifted 6 giant utility bridge beams into place, using massive cranes with up to 800 tonnes in lifting capacity. These beams will support both roads over the new rail trench and hold pipes and conduits for underground services like water, gas, electricity and fibre-optic cables.
Next year, we’ll install more bridge beams and then excavate underneath to lower the rail line to run under the two roads. Installing these utility beams now means those services won’t be affected when we dig the rail trench next year.
We’re removing the level crossings at Union Road and Mont Albert Road by lowering the rail line into a 1.3km trench beneath Union Road and Mont Albert Road and building a new, premium station.
The boom gates will be gone for good, and the new Union Station open in 2023.