New completion dates for Lilydale, Frankston and Williamstown line works

Vic Department of Transport

Major construction blitzes on the Lilydale, Williamstown and Frankston lines have been resequenced, with new target dates confirmed for 8 dangerous and congested level crossings to be gone for good, 6 new stations opened and trains running again – just in time for summer.

Since construction resumed on our sites following a 2-week construction shutdown, project teams have been working to adjust construction schedules, while also implementing enhanced COVIDSafe measures to protect workers and the community.

Lilydale line

The level crossings at Manchester Road, Mooroolbark and Maroondah Highway, Lilydale are targeted to be removed Wednesday 17 November, and 2 new stations with modern facilities open for passengers at Mooroolbark and Lilydale.

Both existing stations will remain closed and buses will continue to replace trains between Ringwood and Lilydale until Tuesday 16 November.

There will also be local road closures in place during this time, and road users are asked to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.

Frankston line

On the Frankston line, work is currently underway on one of Melbourne’s biggest level crossing removal projects to date – including the 50th crossing — getting rid of 5 level crossings at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach and building 3 new stations.

These level crossings are targeted to be gone for good and stations open on Monday 22 November.

Buses will continue to replace trains between Mordialloc, Frankston and Stony Point until Sunday 21 November.

Williamstown line

On Saturday 11 December, the Ferguson Street level crossing is planned to be removed, with trains picking up passengers from the new North Williamstown Station at the same time.

Buses will replace trains between Newport and Williamstown stations until Friday 10 December.

Cranbourne and Pakenham lines

On the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, a scheduled rail line closure will be shifted back a fortnight, as works continue to duplicate the Cranbourne line and remove level crossings at Greens Road, Dandenong South and Hallam Road, Hallam.

Buses will replace trains between Westall and Cranbourne/Pakenham from Saturday 20 November to Thursday 25 November while these works – which also includes a brand new Hallam Station – continue.

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