The Allan Labor Government has opened a new Parkdale Station and removed another two dangerous and congested level crossings.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson today visited the new station that opened to passengers for the first time this morning.
Works will continue on new lifts, to create nearly two MCGs worth of open space, and recreational facilities including a basketball half court, open-air gym, village green, a community garden and play area.
Once complete, passengers will enjoy Parkdale Station's modern facilities, filled with natural light and featuring a forecourt, gathering places for locals, more lighting, station precinct parking and better CCTV.
By 2025, a new shared use path will connect Parkdale to Cheltenham via Mentone and set the groundwork for a future connection to Mordialloc.
More than 100,000 trees, shrubs and grasses will be planted in the area as part of the project, increasing vegetation and greenery in the area.
Parkers Road in Parkdale will reopen to vehicles on Thursday 8 August, improving journeys for more than 20,000 vehicles travelling through the former level crossings each weekday, where the boom gates were down for up to 44 minutes during the morning peak.
The Labor Government is making the Frankston Line level crossing free by 2029 - meaning shorter commutes and a more reliable transport network.
Since 2015, the Labor Government has built more than 50 new and upgraded stations, created the equivalent of 21 MCGs of open space for communities to enjoy and built 60 kilometres of walking and cycling paths across the city.
Across Melbourne, 84 level crossings are gone for good - saving more than 50 hours of boom gate down time during the morning peak every day, and avoiding 100 crashes and near misses every year.
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson
"We're one step closer to making the Frankston Line level crossing free by 2029 and removing 110 level crossings by 2030, changing the way people live, work and travel."
As stated by the Member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson
"We thank the community for its patience while we made the Warrigal Road, Mentone and Parkers Road, Parkdale level crossings a thing of the past, opened a brand new Parkdale Station and connected the suburb previously divided by the rail line."