Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today unveiled the final designs for level crossing removals at Park Road and Charman Road in Cheltenham, and Balcombe Road in Mentone, which hold up 38,000 vehicles every day.

With early works underway, major construction to lower the rail line into trenches and build two new stations will start by mid-2019 and will take around 18 months. In mid-2020 a two-month construction blitz will excavate the trenches, build the new rail line and remove all three crossings at once – minimising disruption for commuters.

The heritage-listed stations at Cheltenham and Mentone will be incorporated into the design of the new stations, and a third track will be built at Cheltenham station to allow for more trains more often on the Frankston line.

The project will include more than three kilometres of walking and cycling paths connecting the stations, better lighting and accessibility, landscaping, new open space, parking, and potential residential and retail development.

The five heritage-listed trees in the Mentone station gardens will be protected in their current location during construction and a major landscaping program will create a new ‘garden bridge’ across the rail trench near Balcombe Road, expanding the much-loved station garden.

The contract for the work has been awarded to the Lendlease, Acciona Coleman Rail, WSP and Metro Trains Melbourne alliance that has already removed the Seaford Road level crossing and is removing three crossings in Carrum.

This $536 million package of works are part of a massive $3 billion investment on the Frankston line which includes the removal of 18 level crossings, with five already removed, and building 11 new stations.

Minor works will begin in April, as major works are underway next year the line will close for up to two months.