#LevelCrossingRemoval, media release, melbourne,
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Designs have been unveiled for the new Pakenham and East Pakenham stations as part of the fast-tracked Pakenham Level Crossing Removal Project.
The works to remove three level crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road will begin later this year and are included in the $15 billion investment to upgrade the Pakenham line.
Pakenham will be level crossing free, with all boom gates gone for good in 2023/24.
With four tracks, the new East Pakenham Station will remove a major V/Line and Metro trains bottleneck. The Pakenham Station will rejuvenate the busy pedestrian and shopping precinct while creating safer and more direct links between public transport, the town centre and additional parking. The new stations will open to the public in 2024.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the booming communities would benefit from this new infrastructure.
“We’re removing 22 level dangerous and congested level crossings on the Pakenham line, with 10 already gone, seven underway and we’ve recently added another five, making the line level crossing free by 2025.”
“These are some of the fastest growing suburbs in Victoria. The new stations at Pakenham and East Pakenham will ensure we have the right infrastructure in place at the right time to serve people in these booming communities.”
Architecture and urban design practice Genton will develop the stations, with the design of Pakenham Station reflecting the regional and metropolitan character of the suburb. The project will include a new station forecourt, bus interchange, two dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones, upgraded modern facilities as well as an additional 450 car parking spaces. For those travelling to the station by bike, there will be secure bike storage and cycling paths alongside the rail line.
Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale said the project would be a game-changer for Pakenham communities.
“Pakenham is a great place to live and work, it’s also a vital connector to both Melbourne and regional Victoria.
These new state-of-the art stations will be centrepieces our community can be proud of.”
“These level crossing removal projects are a real game changer for Pakenham and the region. They will have huge
amounts of open space for everyone to enjoy, a main bus interchange and we can’t wait to see our trains run every 10 minutes.”
Another five crossing removals were recently announced for the Pakenham line – at Webb Street in Narre Warren, Station St and Brunt Road in Beaconsfield, Station Street in Officer and Progress Street in South Dandenong.
Together with the Metro Tunnel, bigger trains and next-generation high-capacity signalling, the upgrades will make room for 121,000 extra peak hour passengers each week.
For more information about the project, visit here.
Image: © Level Crossing Removal Project 2021
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