PRESTON LEVEL CROSSING REMOVAL PROJECT OVERVIEW The Victorian Government’s commitment to removing 75 dangerous and congested level crossings is transforming the way people live, work and travel across metropolitan and improve safety for everyone.

Each level crossing removal is designed according to the conditions of the site and takes many factors into consideration. Community consultation is an important aspect of the projects.

Image: Bell level crossing

Translation service – For languages levelcrossings.vic.gov.au other than English, please call 9280 0780. 1800 105 105 Please contact us if you would like this information in an accessible format. Follow us on social media @levelcrossings If you need assistance because of a hearing Authorised and published by the Victorian or speech impairment, please visit LXNWP3788 Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne relayservice.gov.au PRESTON MERNDA LINE

Toolern Vale Mernda St Andrews

Myrniong

Epping

Healesville

Melton Thomastown Bacchus Marsh

Tullamarine Parwan

High Street, Reservoir

Coburg Murray , Preston Cramer Street, Preston Preston Heidelberg Deer Park Oakover Road, Preston Bell Street, Preston

Brunswick Seville Launching Place Sunshine Woori Yallock Mount Evelyn Yarra Alphington Doncaster Clifton Hill Derrimut Mooroolbark Colingwood Kew

CBD Hoddles Creek Mount Dandenong

Port Melbourne Camberwell

St Kilda Laverton Ferntree Gully

Legend Knoxfield Upwey Oakleigh

Level crossings to be removed BrigLevelhton crossings already removed Moorabbin Emerald Springvale LXNWP3788 Gembrook

Lara

Avalon Beaconsfield

Lovely Banks Corio

Nar Nar Goon Tynong Batesford Norlane

Portarlington

Fyansford

Geelong Langwarrin Newtown Geelong West Clifton Springs

Thomson St Leonards Belmont Drysdale

Leopold Mount Eliza Baxter Koo Wee Rup Waurn Ponds Pearcedale Grovedale

Mornington Somerville

Ocean Grove Lang Lang PRESTON WHY ARE WE REMOVING THESE LEVEL CROSSINGS? The level crossings at Murray Road, Cramer Street, Bell Street and Oakover Road in Preston are a major source of congestion for Melbourne’s booming north.

Over 82,000 1639 daily entries at Bell vehicles each day and 2571 at Preston

Boom gates down for up to 40% of At least 27 near the morning peak misses since 2005

More than 200 Removing these level crossings will LXNWP3788 services daily improve safety and reduce congestion for the Preston community.

Image: Oakover Road level crossing PRESTON WHY RAIL OVER?

Considerations Melbourne water floodplain Less disruptions The area between Bell Street and Murray Road Shorter construction timeframes level crossing lies within a natural floodplain. to build a rail , meaning: A rail bridge won't require extensive drainage • Rail line closures will be shorter work to be completed. • Less machinery and trucks Yan Yean Water Supply System on local Melbourne’s oldest surviving water main system doesn’t require redirecting by building a rail bridge. Less impact on power and water Major sewage and drainage services run across Epping train maintenance depot the rail corridor. A rail bridge will require less Located on Mernda Line, this depot services half disruption, with many services not requiring of Melbourne’s , meaning the rail line cannot relocation. be closed for extended periods at one time. Surrounding land Shorter construction timeframes A rail bridge requires less land, Digging a rail trench would require longer reducing construction timeframes. shutdown of the rail line. Create new community open spaces Construction methodology Elevating the rail line will also create new The rail bridge can be partially built open spaces for the community to enjoy. off-site meaning less disruption.

Image: Oakover Road level crossing LXNWP3788 PRESTON TIMELINE PROJECT • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • • • • • 2020 • • • 2019 • • • 2017-2018 Open space ready for locals to enjoy opened stations Level crossings removed and Construction Early work begins finalised Design of the newly created open spaces to provide input in the development Further community engagement commences Panel Preston Open Space Advisory designs Concept important to the Preston community Community engagement on what’s investigations engineering Further design Confirm additional crossings on the Mernda line Government commitment to remove Technical and engineering assessments investigations Site

LXNWP3788 This will create opportunities for new open spaces and improve safety and accessibility for patrons. for AND BELL BELL AND New stations will bebuilt atPreston platforms andmodernfacilities. PRESTON and Bell. Thesewill includeelevated NEW PRESTON PRESTON NEW STATIONS Image: Preston Station Preston Image:

NEP2061

LXNWP3788 PRESTON OPEN SPACE The land below the two kilometre rail bridge and areas surrounding the new Preston and Bell stations will provide opportunities for new open space.

New open space By elevating the rail over the , we’re creating new open spaces for the community to enjoy. We want to make sure that these spaces reflect Preston’s unique culture and identity. A place that can bring the community together. What do you want to see? We want you to help shape the future of your community. These areas can include playgrounds, sporting facilities, exercise stations and pet parks. Talk to us and share your ideas on how you want Preston’s newest open spaces to be developed. Landscaping Once we’ve removed the level crossings we’ll continue to work in the area, making it greener and more vibrant. We’re working on our landscaping designs and we want you to help us create areas that are attractive, safe and integrate with Preston’s existing environment. LXNWP3788 3072

As works get underway to remove the Preston level crossings we’re committed to working with local traders Complete the Local Trader Survey at engage.vic.gov.au/lxrp-preston to tell us how we can best work with you during construction

A Level Crossing Removal Project Initiative

Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne levelcrossings.vic.gov.au LXNWP3788