The Victorian State Government has unveiled designs for two new stations along the Frankston line as part of the removal of three dangerous and congested level crossings in Cheltenham and Mentone which will also create new community spaces.

According to the State Government, the level crossing removals at Park Road and Charman Road in Cheltenham, and Balcombe Road in Mentone, currently hold up 38,000 vehicles every day.

Early works are already underway, with major construction to begin by mid-2019 and will take around 18 months. This stage of construction works will lower the rail line into trenches and allow for the construction of two new stations.

A two-month construction blitz will commence in mid-2020 comprising excavation works on the trenches, works on the new rail line and removal all three crossings in one fell swoop.

The heritage-listed station buildings at Cheltenham and Mentone will be retained and restored as part of the design of the new station precincts, while a third track will be built at Cheltenham Station to allow for increased train services along the Frankston line.

The project will involve the creation of more than three kilometres of walking and cycling paths connecting the stations, improved lighting and accessibility, landscaping, new open space, parking, and potential residential and retail development on adjacent sites, similar to Glenarm Square at Gardiner Station.

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 continued $3 billion investment on the Frankston line which involves the removal of 18 level crossings and construction of 11 new stations. Already five level crossings along the Frankston line have been removed.

View from platforms at the new Cheltenham Station. Image: LXRA

Balcombe Road, Mentone

According to the Level Crossing Removal Project website, initial works to remove the dangerous and congested level crossing at Balcombe Road, Mentone are underway, with major works to begin mid 2019.

In mid 2020, a two-month construction blitz will dig trenches, build the new rail line and remove all three crossings, minimising disruption for commuters.

The suburbs are going to have a busy year with two new stations being built as part of the project. The new stations will include open spaces, landscaping and direct connections across the rail lines through to shopping precincts.

The much-loved Mentone Station gardens will be upgraded, with the five heritage-listed trees protected in their current spots during construction.

The heritage station buildings will be refurbished while we work on the new Mentone Station. The new station will be 150 metres south, meaning the platforms will be closer to ground level and the rail trench shorter.

Charman and Park roads, Cheltenham

The new Cheltenham Station will have a plaza says the Level Crossing Removal Authority, connecting Cheltenham Park with the shopping area. The existing palm trees will be returned to the station precinct when construction is complete.

The third rail line, currently a dead-end, into Cheltenham Station will be connected. This will allow for more trains, more often on the Frankston line once the Metro Tunnel is open.

Project timeline

March 2019: updated designs announced

April 2019: Site set up and enabling works

Mid 2019: Main construction begins

Mid 2020: Rail line closes for two months

Late 2020: New Mentone and Cheltenham stations open

Early 2021: Mentone project complete

Mid 2021: Cheltenham project complete

Heritage structures to be retained and restored at Mentone. Image: LXRA

What they say

"We’re getting rid of another three level crossings on the Frankston line. The existing heritage-listed stations – both of which opened in the early 1880s – will be preserved for future generations. Walking and cycling paths will connect the two. And we’ll build a third track at Cheltenham so we can run more trains, more often. Best of all? Major works start mid-2019." - Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria via Facebook

“We’re getting rid of these death traps – making Cheltenham and Mentone safer, and delivering brand new stations and more open space. Cheltenham and Mentone are going to have a busy year and I thank residents in advance for their patience during construction, which will deliver more trains, more often.” - Jacinta Allan, Minister for Transport Infrastructure

Click on the gallery below to view images of the new stations.