A second track between Cranbourne and Dandenong will open close to a year ahead of schedule, meaning there will be trains running every 10 minutes on average in the morning peak.
The track duplication will be completed in early 2022, allowing a rebuilt Merinda Park station to become fully operational, with trains stopping at both new platforms.
Trains will also start running over a new rail bridge over Greens Road, removing the level crossing for good and easing congesting through the busy Dandenong South freight and manufacturing hub.
A timetable change – which will come into effect not long after the second track opens – will see more trains run during both AM and PM peak periods from Cranbourne, Lynbrook and Merinda Park stations.
The timetable update will see trains that previously terminated at Dandenong able to be extended to Cranbourne.
Once trains are running both ways on dedicated tracks Cranbourne line commuters will immediately experience far fewer cancellations and delays.
The train line duplication forms part of the massive $1 billion Cranbourne Line Upgrade, which also includes the removal of 4 level crossings.
Construction for the project will ramp up later in November when crews will work around the clock to lay track, complete rail bridges and finish platforms at Merinda Park Station. Works will also take place for other projects including the Hallam Road level crossing removal and the Metro Tunnel.
Buses will replace trains on sections of the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines from 1am Saturday 20 November to last service Thursday 25 November.
By 2025, the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will both be level crossing free, with the Metro Tunnel, level crossing removals, duplicated track and new bigger trains creating room for an additional 121,000 extra peak passengers every week.
These projects will provide better access to jobs, health and education for thousands of people in population growth areas of Melbourne’s outer south east.
The Level Crossing Removal Project is removing 85 level crossing by 2025, with 47 already gone for good. In 2021, one level crossing is being removed on average each month.
