Contact awarded for $844M Melbourne rail works

Designs for the new Pakenham and East Pakenham stations.

An alliance comprising John Holland Group, Kellogg Brown and Root, Metro Trains Melbourne and the Level Crossing Removal Project has been contracted to deliver $844 million works along Melbourne’s Pakenham train line.

As part of the contract, the North Western Program Alliance will remove three level crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road in the Melbourne suburbs of Pakenham and East Pakenham.

The scope of works involves the construction of a modernised Pakenham Station and a brand-new East Pakenham Station. A 2.5-kilometre rail bridge will elevate the rail line and open up 125,000 square metres of community space below.

This follows works underway in Pakenham, where the Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road Upgrade will see an extra lane added, improved intersections and safety barriers installed between the Princes Freeway and Manks Road.

Early ground works on the new Pakenham and East Pakenham stations will start this year, with both new stations to open to passengers in 2024.

John Holland Executive General Manager, Infrastructure Andrew English said the team is eager to get started on their ninth level crossing removal project as part of the Victorian Government’s plan to remove 85 of Melbourne’s worst level crossings by 2025.

“Our team has a phenomenal track record delivering level crossing removal projects and it is testament to them – their expertise, experience and long-running relationship with our customer – that we continue to deliver these important works that will benefit the community for years to come,” Mr English said.

The architecturally designed Pakenham Station will feature an upgraded station forecourt, bus interchange and two dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones. Lifts and stairs will take passengers waiting in the climate-controlled waiting room at street level to the two platforms above. An additional 450 car parking spaces, secure bike storage and new walking and cycling paths alongside the rail line will further enhance the commuter journey.

These works will also complement the Metro Tunnel project, which will create room for 120,000 more passengers on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines during peak periods.

Acting Premier and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the level crossing removals would help improve the safety of 33,000 motorists who travel through the crossing everyday.

“We’re getting on with removing these three dangerous and congested level crossings in Pakenham – which holds up thousands of commuters every day. Major construction will get underway in the new year – as we power on to reach our goal of getting rid of 85 level crossings by 2025,” Allan said.

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, making room for 121,000 extra peak hour passengers each week.

A total of 750 jobs will be created as part of construction which will commence early next year.

The North Western program alliance has successfully removed eight level crossings and constructed four new stations. The success of these projects has been recognised with the alliance being awarded the Pakenham and East Pakenham projects, the largest level crossing project in Victoria.

For more information on the works, click here.