Two stations on Melbourne’s Upfield Line have reopened to passengers after the state’s largest ever level crossing removal project.
The renovated Coburg and Moreland stations are part of the removal of four level crossings on the Upfield Line.
Trains returned to the line in November while finishing touches were put on the new stations.
“While we’ve removed 44 dangerous and congested level crossings, we’ve also built 30 new stations around Melbourne – delivering the modern public transport infrastructure our growing state needs,” said Victorian Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll.
Featuring energy efficient and accessible design, the new stations will enable more passengers than ever to use public transport while creating new open spaces that are scheduled to open in 2021.
“The two new, level crossing-free stations will transform Moreland and Coburg,” said Member for Pascoe Vale Lizzie Blandthorn. “Thanks to the community for their patience through the works this year – and I look forward to seeing the new open space open for everyone to enjoy.”
Access to both stations is from the south-eastern side of the line for now, while landscaping and pedestrian and cycling paths are installed.
Coburg Station includes a climate-controlled waiting area and Moreland Station incorporates local Indigenous and European heritage in the station and landscape design.
Almost two MCGs worth of open space and thousands of trees, shrubs, grasses, and seedlings are being added underneath the newly elevated lines, with facilities including basketball courts, playgrounds, a dog park, table tennis tables, and exercise equipment for the community.
The upgrades also include work on the Upfield Bike Path, while improving east-west connections.
“This huge level crossing project in the North may be finished and open to passengers, but we’re not stopping here – with two more level crossings to go in Glenroy and Preston to ease congestion and improve people’s journeys,” said Carroll.