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Rail bridge and two new stations for Mernda train line

The Victorian Government has decided to build a two-kilometre rail bridge to remove level crossings along the Mernda line.

Early works to remove the crossings at Bell Street, Cramer Street, Murray Road and Oakover Road will start next year. Following early works two new stations will be built on a two kilometre stretch of sky rail.

Detailed planning and engineering has determined the best way to remove the crossing was to elevate the line, due to constraints, using a U-Trough design. 

New stations will be built at Bell and Preston, and a section of the track will be straightened to deliver more trains more often in the future. While this will enable faster services, it will also mean a small number of property acquisitions.

Around 82,000 vehicles go through the level crossings each day. Bell Street is the busiest road with 52,000 vehicles each day and the boom gates down for up to 40 per cent of the morning peak.

Member for Preston Robin Scott said Preston residents cannot wait to see work start on this project.

I encourage locals to get involved with the community advisory panel in shaping the open space.”

The next stage of community consultation will begin soon with locals encouraged to have their say on ideas for the new open spaces.

In addition, a community advisory panel will be established to enable locals to directly contribute to the design of the two kilometres of new open space created by elevating the line.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.


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