THE final designs for the new rail bridge in Mentone have been released.
The level crossings at Warrigal Road in Mentone and Parkers Road in Parkdale are set to be removed. The new Parkdale Station will open next year.
The level crossings will be replaced with rail over road. On Monday, the Level Crossing Removal Project released its “final designs” for the rail bridge (below).
A media release from the LXRP read that the new station will “reflect the local character and village feel of the suburb featuring a station forecourt, gathering places for locals and warm-toned natural materials.”
“The elevated rail bridge will unlock new open spaces and sporting and recreational facilities for the community to enjoy, including a basketball half court, open-air gym, village green, a community garden and a nature-based play area. More than 100,000 trees, shrubs and grasses will be planted in the area as part of the project, boosting vegetation,” the LXRP said.
“Building a rail bridge will better connect the suburb, which is currently divided by the rail line. The new station precinct and open space will connect Como Parade East and Como Parade West, providing easier access to the shops, schools and beach for residents and visitors. A new shared use path will also connect Parkdale to Cheltenham via Mentone.”
Trains will run along a temporary track on the Frankston line while major works are underway in Mentone and Parkdale – the station will be closed for “several months”, the LXRP says. The state government plans to make the Frankston line level crossing-free by 2029.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 22 November 2023