The fast-tracked removal of dangerous and congested level crossings at Union Road in Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Road in Mont Albert is a step closer with the release of updated designs for a new premium station in Surrey Hills.
These are two of Melbourne's worst level crossings and have been fast-tracked for removal by 2023, two years ahead of schedule. The crossings will be removed by lowering the rail line beneath the roads in an open trench and building a new premium station with better facilities and more services.
With two fatalities at Union Road in 2016 when a train and car collided - and a further eight near misses in recent years - the Surrey Hills and Mont Albert communities will be safer when the boom gates are gone for good.
The premium station will provide more trains, more often for commuters from Surrey Hills, Mont Albert and surrounds, including express trains, and will be staffed from the first train in the morning until the last train.
Feedback from the community showed overwhelming support to remove the level crossings and the updated designs incorporate the extensive community feedback.
The new station will step down from concourse level to meet the new platforms, with lifts and stairs providing all abilities access. Entrances at both ends of the platform will provide convenient access to Surrey Hills and Mont Albert communities.
The updated designs will provide new green space with play spaces and seating and deliver new cycling and pedestrian paths that will be linked to Box Hill and Hawthorn as part of a future cycling corridor.
A new drop-off zone on Mont Albert Road will connect commuters to the eastern station entrance. A separated pedestrian path will run alongside the rail trench and link the Lorne Parade entrance to Mont Albert Road and Mont Albert shopping village from the south.
While the historic Mont Albert Station building will need to be removed during construction, it will be restored and transformed into a café, restaurant or possibly even a community centre, returning the building back to the community.
Early works will start this year and major construction to begin next year - bringing hundreds of jobs to the area.
The community is invited to review the updated designs and have their say to help shape the final designs by visiting engage.vic.gov.au/lxrp-surrey-hills-and-mont-albert or by attending one of the community information sessions in June and July, restrictions permitting.
As stated by Minister for Transport infrastructure Jacinta Allan
"We know these are some of the most dangerous level crossings in Melbourne and I'm proud we've fast-tracked their removal. The release of these new designs is an exciting step towards starting construction. "
"We said we'd remove 50 dangerous and congested level crossings by 2022, and we're smashing that goal with 46 already gone and many more set to go this year."
As stated by Member for Box Hill Paul Hamer
"I know how important the removal of these level crossings is to our community. The community now has another opportunity to share their preferences to help shape the final design."
