Carrum ‘sky rail’: 900m long rail bridge to be built on Frankston line

A 900m long rail bridge will be built at Carrum as part of a project getting rid of three level crossings along the Frankston train line.

NEW local roads and a 900-metre long rail bridge will be built as part of a project getting rid of three level crossings along the Frankston train line.

The project, to cost hundreds of millions of dollars, will create a new road extension over the Patterson River and a new “Carrum Village” around a rebuilt Carrum station.

Train stabling will also be shifted from Carrum to Kananook, requiring the acquisition of seven commercial properties.

No houses will need to be bought as part of the project, which is expected to see some parts of the community campaign against the new “sky rail” train line.

The 900 metre section of elevated rail will be eight metres tall at its highest point, with gantries to stretch a further eight metres into the air.

A train at a level crossing on the Frankston line. Picture: Chris Eastman

Plans for removing level crossings at Eel Race Rd and Station St were the final projects to be announced by the Andrews Government along the politically sensitive bayside corridor.

They are part of its program to get rid of 50 level crossings over eight years.

As part of the new precinct plan, a crossing at Mascot Avenue will be removed and Station Street will be extended over Patterson River.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the final cost would be revealed once tender negotiations were finished.

The government had originally said the Frankston line level crossing removals would cost up to $2 billion, but Ms Allan would not say whether that was still the project’s budget.

Ms Allan said it was a major investment in the area and a “once in a generation” chance to upgrade the rail line and stations.

Moving train stablings would also enable more trains to run along the line when the $11 billion Melbourne Metro project was finished.

“This project will transform Carrum — reducing congestion, improving public transport and saving lives,” Ms Allan said.

“These congested deathtraps bring Carrum to a standstill every morning — frustrating locals and putting lives at risk.”

Carrum MP Sonya Kilkenny said the new village plans would “transform our community forever”.

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