The new elevated Melton Station is now open to passengers, marking a major milestone for Melbourne’s west after a three-week construction blitz removed two notorious Melton level crossings and completed the city’s new elevated train station.
More than 750 workers worked around the clock during the blitz to bring the new Melton Station and rail bridges over Coburns and Exford roads a major step closer to completion.
Trains are now running on two new rail bridges over Exford and Coburns roads, making travel safer and more reliable.
What do drivers need to know?
Drivers can now travel through Exford Road without the former level crossing, with trains travelling overhead on the new elevated rail bridge.
Coburns Road has also had its level crossing removed, with trains now travelling over the road on the new rail bridge.
The milestone follows the opening of the new Ferris Road bridge in July and forms part of the wider push to make Melbourne’s west boom-gate free.
The removal of the four dangerous and congested level crossings means trains now travel over Exford and Coburns roads in Melton, while a new road bridge has removed the level crossings at Ferris Road in Melton and Hopkins Road in Truganina.
More than 73,000 vehicles travelled through the four level crossings every day, with drivers held up at the boom gates for nearly half an hour in the morning peak alone.
A bigger station is here
The new Melton Station is a significant upgrade on the temporary setup, with four platforms and lift and stair access via an underpass – providing a safe and accessible way to cross the rail line.
The station is bigger, with longer platforms for nine-car VLocity trains to run to Melton from next year, boosting capacity by 50 per cent on peak services.
The new station features an air-conditioned waiting room, upgraded toilets, lighting and security cameras, along with a staffed ticket office.
The new pedestrian link gives locals a safer way to cross the railway line without waiting for trains. Moreover, two of the station’s four platforms can accommodate longer nine-car VLocity trains, which are expected to run on the Melton Line from next year.
More commuter car parking will open over the coming months, bringing total spaces to more than 900. The station precinct will be landscaped with native trees, plants, shrubs and grasses.
Melton services remain open
With the major rail works now complete and the new station open, trains are running through Melton on the new elevated rail line.
A trader support hub has launched an interactive map featuring more than 25 Melton cafés, restaurants, retailers and services, making it easier for locals to find businesses operating through the road and rail closures.
The broader precinct works will continue beyond the station’s opening, including construction of a seven-bay bus interchange, station facilities, forecourts, car parking and landscaping.
What’s next?
The station will support Melton Electrification. Its longer platforms will allow Metro services to use two of the platforms in the future, while the new Cobblebank stabling yard will house electric trains.
The Victorian Government has invested $152.7 million to undertake works to finalise the designs, scope and costs of electrification.
The $650 million Melton Line Upgrade is removing all four dangerous and congested level crossings, helping make Melbourne’s west safer and more reliable for drivers and passengers.
With the new Melton Station now open and the level crossings removed, the focus will turn to completing the remaining station precinct works and preparing for future electrification of the Melton Line.
