The Allan Labor Government is ramping up a construction blitz in Melbourne's north to remove the dangerous and congested level crossing at Keon Parade a year ahead of schedule - with the new Keon Park Station on track to open in June.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson today announced crews will work around the clock on the rail bridge that will take trains over Keon Parade - with buses to replace trains on sections of the Mernda Line from 9pm Tuesday, 30 April to last service Tuesday, 7 May.
Trains will begin running on the new bridge on Wednesday, 8 May, but will not stop at Keon Park Station while works continue on the new station. A shuttle bus will run between Ruthven and Thomastown to connect Keon Park passengers with trains.
Works will continue at the new station over the next few months, including installing lifts and stairs, reinstating more than 160 car spaces and planting more than 45,000 trees, shrubs and grasses across the station precinct.
When the new station opens, it will give passengers improved connections between bus and train services - while also giving locals a new link to the Johnson Street shops.
As crews remove boom gates and resurface roads, Keon Parade will be closed at the level crossing from midnight Monday 29 April to 6am Monday 20 May and sections of the Keon Parade, Mahoneys Road and High Street intersection will be closed overnight on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May.
With the level crossing gone, Keon Parade will open on Monday 20 May - cutting travel times and improving safety.
The project will reduce congestion for more than 18,000 vehicles travelling through this level crossing each weekday, with boom gates down for more than 41 minutes during the morning peak.
To keep up to date with the upcoming works, visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au.
The Labor Government is removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings by 2030, with 75 already gone for good.
As stated by Minster for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson
"We're getting on with making Melbourne's north an even better place to live by removing dangerous level crossings, reducing congestion and building new stations."
As stated by Member for Preston Nathan Lambert
"The new Keon Park station will provide safer, easier and greener access for everyone, with secure bike storage, extensive native vegetation, and strong connections to Johnson Street."
As stated by Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny
"We've removed five sets of boom gates from Preston and Reservoir and soon Keon Parade's boom gates will be a thing of the past."
