The Andrews Labor Government has removed its 71st and 72nd dangerous and congested level crossings at Neerim Road and Glen Huntly Road, two years ahead of schedule, with Frankston Line trains now running through a new rail trench and stopping at the new Glen Huntly Station.
Passengers will be able to catch the train from the new Glen Huntly Station from Monday 31 July after a 58-day construction blitz, which saw more than 64 Olympic swimming pools worth of soil excavated from the 1.2-kilometre rail trench, following works to remove the level crossings.
Finishing works on the station continue, including installing lifts, laying bricks, and fitting out the station buildings will continue into August with the project expected to be complete in 2024.
When the new station opens, it will become 'Glen Huntly', fixing one of Melbourne's oldest spelling mistakes.
More than 20,000 vehicles travelled through the level crossings each weekday when the boom gates were down for almost an hour of the morning peak and more than 3000 people use Glen Huntly Station each weekday.
Express services will resume on the Frankston Line for the first time since late 2022 when the third track in Glen Huntly was closed.
As part of the project we have untangled the Pakenham, Cranbourne and Frankston line tracks at Caufield junction to allow more trains to run more often on these lines in the future.
With the level crossings gone, trams journeys will be more reliable for Route 67 trams and locals in Glen Huntly.
As stated by Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
"We said we'd remove two of Melbourne's most dangerous level crossings and build a new station in Glen Huntly and that's what we've delivered - two years ahead of schedule."
"With 18 removed already, we're getting on with removing every level crossing on the Frankston Line, making roads less congested and when the Metro Tunnel opens a year early in 2025, it will mean more trains more often."
As stated by Member for Oakleigh Steve Dimopoulos
"When we came to Government in 2014 there were nine dangerous and congested level crossings in the City of Glen Eira. We've removed every one of them and no one will ever be stuck at a boom gate in Glen Eira again"
As stated by Member for Southern Metropolitan Region Ryan Batchelor
"We thank commuters, traders and locals for their patience while got on with these works. The new Glen Huntly Station precinct will revitalise Glen Huntly Village, opening up new space and creating better connections in the community."