Level Crossing Removal – Pakenham stations
Designs have been unveiled for the new Pakenham and East Pakenham stations, being built as part of the fast-tracked project to remove level crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road in Pakenham, and create six MCGs of new open space for locals to enjoy.
The Pakenham Level Crossing Removal Project is part of a $15 billion investment to upgrade the Pakenham line, which will be boom gate free by 2025, changing how locals live, work and travel. The project is extending the metropolitan rail track by two kilometres and building a new East Pakenham Station in this growth area of Melbourne.
Featuring 7,200 homes, the new suburb will create 1,300 additional jobs and bring more than $1 billion to the Victorian economy over the coming years. This is in addition to the 750 jobs that will be created as part construction.
With four tracks – including dedicated bypass tracks – the new East Pakenham Station will remove a major V/Line and Metro trains bottleneck, slashing congestion and boosting reliability for regional and metropolitan passengers.
The new premium Pakenham Station will rejuvenate the busy pedestrian and shopping precinct, and create safer and more direct links between public transport, the town centre and additional parking. With the level crossing at nearby Cardinia Road already gone, the removal of all level crossings in Pakenham will slash travel times and transform the way locals move around their community.
Renowned architecture firm Genton is working to develop the modern stations, with the design of Pakenham Station reflecting the character of the suburb.
A new station forecourt, bus interchange and two dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones will provide easier and safer access to the spacious, light-filled station. Lifts and stairs will take passengers to two platforms for regional and metropolitan trains, with upgraded modern facilities and a climate-controlled waiting room at street level.
An additional 450 car parking spaces will be built at Pakenham Station, as well as secure bike storage and new walking and cycling paths alongside the rail line.
Building a 2.5 kilometre rail bridge over McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road will create around six MCGs of new open space and locals are invited to have their say on these new areas.
Works to remove these three level crossings will begin later this year with the level crossings gone in 2023/2024. The new stations and open space will be ready for locals to enjoy in 2024.
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.
Locals can have their say on the new stations at www.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au