The 2 dangerous and congested level crossings at Union Road, Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert have been removed by lowering the rail line into a 1.3km trench.
As well as removing the 2 level crossings, we also built a brand-new Union Station.
These level crossings were 2 of Melbourne’s worst – the level crossing at Union Road was the site of a tragic incident in 2016 that resulted in 2 fatalities, with at least 8 near misses since 2005.
The boom gates were down for up to 40% of the morning peak, when up to 61 trains ran through the crossings.
The rail trench design eases congestion and improves safety, allowing for more trains, more often, with an additional 3 services stopping at Union Station during the weekday morning and afternoon peaks.
The new Union Station features brand-new, modern station facilities, including a sheltered waiting room, platform access via lifts and stairs, and new pedestrian and cycling connections.
The Lilydale Line will be level crossing free by 2025.