Southern Program Alliance

Image courtesy of Level Crossing Removal Authority

The Victorian Government's Level Crossing Removal Project is overseeing the largest rail infrastructure project in the state’s history. It will see the removal of 85 of Melbourne's most dangerous and congested level crossings by 2025. The project will also see the upgrading or building of more than 27 train stations, laying many kilometres of new track, and making associated rail improvements. Removing the level crossings will reduce risk for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists as well as creating new community spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy. 

The Southern Program Alliance (SPA) is removing level crossings on the Frankston line. Together with our Alliance partners, Lendlease, Acciona/Coleman Rail, Metro Trains Melbourne and the Level Crossing Removal Project, WSP is delivering the Initial Works Package and Additional Works Packages 1-4.

The scope for the Initial Works Package:

• Removed four level crossings at Mascot Avenue, Bonbeach, Station Street and Eel Race Road, Carrum, and Seaford Road, Seaford

• Extended McLeod Road, Carrum, to the Nepean Highway

• Built a new road bridge across Patterson River in Carrum connecting Station Street

• Removed the Carrum train storage facility to a purpose-built facility in Kananook

• Built a new 900m rail bridge and elevated Carrum Station

• Revitalised Seaford including upgrading RF Miles reserve and constructed a new cycling and walking path from Eel Race Road to Frankston (approx. 5.5km)

• Revitalised Carrum’s local community and business activity centre through improved amenities, creation of open spaces and beautification works

• In 2018 the project opened the Karrum Karrum road bridge followed by a new station at Carrum in 2020. Indigenous design was incorporated into the project including the design of an urban marker and yarning circle at Carrum and artwork at the Eel Race Road underpass and under the rail bridge at Seaford Road.

The scope for the Additional Works Package 1:

• Removed three level crossings at Charman and Park roads in Cheltenham and Balcombe Road, Mentone by lowering the rail line into two trenches and building new road bridge connections

• Building new, modern Cheltenham and Mentone stations

• Retained and restored the heritage-listed Mentone Station buildings and protected five heritage-listed trees in the Mentone Station gardens during major construction to create a new Mentone Station Heritage Deck and Gardens precinct

• Creating more than three kilometres of walking and cycling paths connecting the stations

• Constructed a new multilevel commuter and short-term carpark in Cheltenham

• By July 2020, Park Road, Charman Road and Balcombe Road were boom gate-free, improving vehicle and pedestrian safety. The new Mentone Station opened ahead of schedule on 20 July followed by Cheltenham on 16 August.

The scope for the Additional Works Package 2:

• Removing five level crossings and building new stations at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach

• Upgrading the surrounding station precincts including landscaping, new open spaces and parking, a shared-use path as part of more than 11kms of new paths from Edithvale to Frankston and a pedestrian bridge at Chelsea Station

• All five level crossings were removed and the three stations opened at the end of 2021.

The scope for the Additional Works Package 3:

• Duplicating approximately 3.5km of track in two sections of the Hurstbridge Line

• Building new, modern stations at Greensborough and Montmorency

• Upgrading platform 2 at Diamond Creek Station

• Upgrading track and signalling infrastructure including one  new bridge, two new substations, signalling and power improvements

• Works began in early 2021 including vegetation removal, delineation fencing, CSR works and piling around Greensborough Station as well as commissioning works around Victoria Park and Clifton Hill

• The new stations and platform upgrades for the Hurstbridge line were completed in 2025. 

The scope for the Additional Works Package 4:

• Removing two level crossings at Glen Huntly Road and Neerim Road

• Building a new, modern Glen Huntly Station, which achieved a 'Leading' as-built Rating of 82 as assessed by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council

• Constructing a new pedestrian and cycle path connecting Ormond and Caulfield

• Upgrades to Caulfield junction to coincide with the opening of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel

• The level crossings were removed in 2023 and the project completed in 2024, one year ahead of schedule.

The scope for the Additional Works Package 5:

• Upgrading fire systems in the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop including smoke detectors, extraction and sprinkler systems at Parliament, Melbourne Central, and Flagstaff stations
• Upgrades to platforms and concourses
• Building services and electrical works
• New maintenance access stairs. 

The scope for the Additional Works Package 6:

• Removed two level crossings at Parkers and Warrigal Roads and opened a rail bridge at the end of 2025
• Constructed a new, elevated station at Parkdale, which achieved an 'Excellent' design ISC Rating of 69 as assessed by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, this was opened in December 2025
• Delivering the new Parkdale precinct, opened in 2025, a community open space the size of two MCG's which will include a shared-use path, recreational facilities, and car parking. 

Our approach

WSP's scope of work includes, but is not limited to:

• Environmental and planning services

• Architectural, urban design and related services, including landscape design

• Civil engineering, including roads, drainage, car parks, park and ride facilities, pedestrian and bicycle paths

• Systems engineering including requirement management, interface management and configuration control

• Railway engineering, including track, signalling, stations, traction power, communication and train control system, and maintenance and stabling facilities

• Stakeholder engagement and consultation

• Development of project management plans, including procurement, contract administration

• Risk identification and management services

• Project cost estimating and scheduling.

Our design approach focuses on minimising environmental impacts while maximising access to the surrounding areas and anticipates future works that will improve accessibility to the beach from Carrum station, including cycle paths, upgrades to the local reserve and sports clubs as well as a periscope at Carrum station that provides a view of the bay from the station.

Outcomes / client benefits

• Reduced congestion on local roads

• Improved safety around train lines

• New open space for the community

• Legacy left with local stakeholders including schools and businesses

• Preservation of historical buildings

• Improved connections between public transport, stations, local shops and amenities such as the beach

• Improved reliability of train services

• Modern train stations with latest functionality for DDA passengers

• Stakeholder engagement and consultation

Find out more about the key role we played in delivering stakeholder engagement and consultation services on the project, which enabled us to manage and mitigate adverse construction impacts for residents, businesses, road users and the wider community, while developing opportunities to maximise positive community impacts and social value.

Find out what Future Ready trends we considered in the Southern Program Alliance project: