THE state government has moved the construction of rail bridges on the Frankston line between Mordialloc and Aspendale forward by three years.
The level crossings at McDonald Street in Mordialloc and Station Street in Aspendale will be replaced with sky rail by 2026, the state government confirmed last week. They were originally scheduled to be removed by 2029, along with all other remaining Frankston line level crossings.
The level crossing at Bear Street in Mordialloc will also be removed by 2026, with a redeveloped Mordialloc Station expected to open that year as well.
Victorian transport and infrastructure minister Jacinta Allan confirmed that the Mordialloc project would be “fast-tracked”, and said that seven more level crossings along the line are still scheduled to be removed by 2029. “We haven’t wasted a single moment and we’ll continue getting rid of these dangerous and congested level crossings, and today we’re announcing the fast-tracking removal of another three sets of boom gates in Mordialloc,” she said last week. “We’ve removed 27 Frankston line level crossings on budget and ahead of schedule, but we’re not stopping here.”
Community consultation on the design of the Mordialloc level crossing removals is still yet to take place. In a statement, the state government said “there will be pop-up community events in Mordialloc for people to ask questions and find out more information”.
“Early geotechnical investigations have already started in the area, with boreholes and surveys being carried out to inform the detailed design of the project. Planning and design will continue through 2023, with more chances for locals to have their say. Construction will start in 2024, and the project will work closely with locals during this time,” the state government said.
Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson welcomed the announcement. He said “fast-tracking the removal of the dangerous and congested level crossings in Mordialloc is a gamechanger for the area.”
Further down the Frankston line, the train stabling capacity at Kananook is expected to double. The state government has confirmed that the capacity of the storage site will increase from eight trains to 21. It has handed out a $271 million contract to begin works on the project.