State Government announces $20 million Oakleigh station upgrade

A DARK and dingy underpass will be upgraded during a $20 million upgrade to Oakleigh station.

An artist’s impression of the new Oakleigh station.

A DARK and dingy underpass will be upgraded during a $20 million upgrade to Oakleigh station.

The State Government announced work would start on the improvements in the coming months, with the majority of works to be carried out while trains continue running.

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The revamped station, currently used by more than 40,000 people a week, will have direct access to city-bound trains via a spacious new forecourt on the southern side and the underpass will be made safer with CCTV and lighting.

An artist's impression of the new Oakleigh station underpass.

Old, steep ramps will be replaced with a more user-friendly design that complies with Australian Standards and lifts will be installed.

The government said the heritage value of the station would be improved, while an inappropriate extension to north side buildings will be removed to create more space and allow the original facade to be restored.

Both sides of the station will have more myki touch-on points and there will be other improvements to external brickwork, platform facilities and the station’s waiting room.

Construction crews from the level crossing removal project will complete the upgrade, with work expected to take around 12 months.

The new look station.

Meanwhile, work to extend platforms at Oakleigh are already underway as part of broader rail upgrade works taking place along the entire Cranbourne/Pakenham line in preparation for longer high capacity trains.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said the upgrade was very welcome, and hoped it could be completed with minimal disruption to passengers.

“Improving the underpass will make the station much more welcoming and better able to cope with crowds,” he said.

Oakleigh state Labor MP Steve Dimopoulos said the upgrades would make it safer, quicker and easier to catch trains from the station.

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