IN just two months time, five dangerous and congested level crossings will be gone, four new road connections opened, and three new stations built along the Frankston line at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach.
The Level Crossing Removal Project have started to dig three one-kilometre-long and seven metre-deep trenches to lower the Frankston line under the three suburbs’ former level crossings.
Buses are replacing trains along the line until Sunday 31 October between Mordialloc, Frankston and Stony Point to allow crews to dig out about 200,000 cubic metres of soil – which is enough to fill about 80 Olympic sized swimming pools.
The soil needs to be trucked away, and the drivers responsible for moving it all will be carefully travelling along Station Street, Nepean Highway, Edithvale Road, Thames Promenade and McLeod Road, with traffic controllers deployed to help them safely navigate the routes.
Costa, one of the drivers helping to shift the soil, said experienced drivers will be on the job.
“Truck drivers will be sticking to the speed limit and following the traffic controllers and designated haulage routes to keep everyone safe,” Costa said.
During October, four new road bridges will open above the line at Edithvale Road in Edithvale, Argyle Avenue in Chelsea and Bondi Road in Bonbeach – and a new connection at Thames Promenade in Chelsea.
A free community shuttle bus is running in a loop every five to ten minutes between Mordialloc and Carrum during the works to help residents connect to local shops and pedestrian crossing points.
The works are continuing under strict COVIDSafe rules after being deemed by Victoria’s Chief Health Officer as State Critical Infrastructure.
A range of safety measures have been introduced to protect workers and the community including face masks, QR code site check-in, temperature testing, physical distancing and regular deep cleaning. Dedicated COVID-marshals have also been deployed to make sure the COVIDSafe rules are being followed.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 22 September 2021