ROADS will be separated from rail at level crossings in Mentone and Cheltenham by digging trenches for the rail line to travel below ground level.
The rail under road decision was announced by the state government on Monday (20 February) by Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan at Mentone train station.
Level crossing removal works will be overseen by the Level Crossing Removal Authority, a Department of Transport body, and the government said construction will begin by the end of 2018.
Mentone and Cheltenham train stations will be completely rebuilt as part of the project to remove level crossings at Balcombe Rd in Mentone and Charman Rd and Park Rd in Cheltenham.
The heritage-listed historic train station building at Mentone, on the Melbourne-bound side, will be retained.
Five heritage-listed trees within the station gardens will be kept in place, according to the LXRA, the width of the retaining walls and the need to locate underground power and signalling services immediately next to the trench will mean the rest of the gardens will be reduced in size.
Mordialloc Labor MP Tim Richardson said it was “exciting” to announce the engineering solution to remove the level crossing at Mentone after months of community consultation.
“It will be rail under road and we’re preserving the heritage of Mentone station as well,” he said.
“For so long people have talked about whether we could remove these crossings but they’re dangerous and congested and need to go.”
Properties including 25 homes and seven businesses will be compulsorily acquired at Cheltenham to make way for the rail trench.
No property acquisitions are needed in Mentone.
“These dangerous level crossings clog streets and put lives at risk. We promised to get rid of them and we’re getting on with it,” Ms Allan said in a statement.
Liberal state opposition spokesman for planning David Davis questioned Premier Daniel Andrews’ “special treatment” for voters along the Frankston line and said residents along the Pakenham line will be “rightly furious” that they are getting “the toxic sky rail option”.
“Why is Daniel Andrews giving special treatment to residents on the Frankston line and hanging the residents along the Pakenham line out to dry?” he asked.
No Sky Rail: Frankston Line spokesman Willem Popp said the group is pleased rail will go under road at Cheltenham and Mentone.
“The fact that they’re both going under shows that the government can build rail under … and we hope that continues right down the line from Edithvale right down to Frankston.”
Kingston Council welcomed the rail trench plan between Cheltenham and Mentone but wanted to know more details and support for businesses along the rail line whose passing trade may take a downturn during construction works.
“Council is keen to work closely with the Level Crossing Removal Authority to ensure the best possible outcome for the community,” mayor Cr David Eden said.
“A lot of the finer details of the projects are still unknown.
“Council is keen to see extra car parking provided at these stations – not just a replacement of existing facilities – to meet the growing demand for commuter parking in the area.
“We want to see high-quality and well-designed pedestrian access and links to the nearby shops.
“We’ll also be speaking up on behalf of our local traders to minimise any difficulties they face during the construction phase.”
Rail under road has already been installed at Bentleigh, McKinnon and Ormond on the Frankston line.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 22 February 2017
