The removal of three dangerous and congested level crossings in Pakenham, and extension of the rail line to the new suburb of Pakenham East, is powering ahead - with the elevated rail bridge taking shape and Main Street re-opening to traffic following the installation of a giant concrete pylon to support the new bridge.
The level crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road will be gone for good and new, modern, accessible stations at Pakenham and Pakenham East - some of Australia's fastest-growing suburbs - will open to passengers next year.
Under the rail line, open spaces will be created for the community to enjoy, including a barbecue area, exercise equipment, basketball court, playgrounds and parklands.
The concrete pier at Main Street, which stands 7.5 metres tall, helps form the support for the new rail bridge in Pakenham, where piling - stabilising the earth beneath the ground - has almost wrapped up.
Nearby, more than 30 giant concrete L-beams have been installed at Pakenham Station to create the elevated rail bridge, and locals will soon start to see these beams installed above Main Street and McGregor Road as works continue at pace.
Work is progressing on the new, modern premium Pakenham station, which will rejuvenate the town centre and provide safer and more direct connections between public transport and local amenities, as well as extra parking.
The new Pakenham East Station will include 300 car parks as well as bike facilities, bus bays and dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones close to the station.
The new station will remove a major V/Line and Metro Trains bottleneck, slashing congestion and boosting reliability for both regional and metropolitan passengers in the south-east.
To further improve transport for the growing Pakenham community, the Pakenham Roads Upgrade is underway - upgrading Racecourse Road, McGregor Road and the Princes Freeway. Upgrades to Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road will link with improvements along Racecourse Road once the level crossing is removed.
The Metro Tunnel will open to passengers in 2025, with Pakenham Line trains running exclusively through the new tunnel and stopping at five new underground stations in and around the CBD.
Across Melbourne, 67 level crossings have already been removed well ahead of schedule - with 110 to go by 2030, boosting safety and easing congestion in every corner of Melbourne.
As stated by Premier Daniel Andrews
"Soon these level crossings will be gone for good - and six MCGs of community open space under the rail line will transform the centre of Pakenham."
As stated by Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
"Getting rid of these level crossings will make the Pakenham line one step closer to being boom gate-free by 2025, changing the way people live, work and travel."
As stated by Member for Pakenham Emma Vulin
"Removing these three level crossings will make Pakenham a better place to be by improving safety, creating better access in and out of the town centre and more open space for everyone to enjoy."
