Months of delays for commuters on Frankston Line as level crossing projects ramp up

Level crossing works are set to cause headaches for Bayside commuters, with sections of the Frankston line closing during February — and more disruptions are on the horizon.

Commuters on the Frankston line will be stuck with more than two months of delays this year when level crossing works shut down a large section of the busy rail corridor.

Buses will replace trains between Frankston and Moorabbin from February 2 to 16 as work ramps up on the crossing at Carrum and early works begin at Cheltenham and Mentone.

But passengers will be also slugged with two months of replacement buses between Moorabbin and Mordialloc from the middle of May until July when crews dig massive rail trenches to lower the tracks.

Mentone and Cheltenham stations will also be closed in March and April as works ramp up.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said passengers should expect delays.

“We do acknowledge that as part of removing each and every level crossing … It does create disruption in the local community,” she said.

“Cheltenham and Mentone are going to have a busy year and I thank residents and traders in advance for their patience during construction, which will deliver more trains, more often.”

“The disruptions will stop when all the level crossings are removed.”

Buses will also be dedicated to school routes to make sure the 14,000 students enrolled in the area can get to school.

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A third track at Cheltenham Station will connected to the line to cater for growing demand and more than 3km of walking and cycling paths will connect to each station.

It comes as passengers in Melbourne’s north are bracing for a construction blitz that will trigger a three-month shutdown on parts of the Upfield line, with dates for the closure yet to be announced.

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