Reservoir’s outdated station will be demolished today to make way for a modern transport hub as the Andrews Labor Government’s removal of the notorious level crossing at High Street in Reservoir ramps up.
The project will rebuild the station – used by 4,000 people each day – as part of a new rail bridge that will remove the dangerous and congested level crossing.
The new station will include above ground platforms with access via lifts and stairs. The station forecourt will be accessible from either side of the station – with safer waiting areas, better lighting and modern facilities.
The first big machines on the project – a pair of piling rigs – will arrive this week to start laying the foundations for the rail bridge. Around 200 workers will be on site at Reservoir throughout this latest construction blitz.
While all of this work is underway, buses are replacing trains between Thornbury and Epping until the last train on Tuesday 9 April. Passengers should allow up to an extra 45 minutes travel time.
In addition to planned disruptions to train services, High Street in Reservoir will be closed at the level crossing until 5.00am Wednesday, 10 April.
The work at Reservoir this week is part of a massive construction blitz across the state that will impact nine different metropolitan and regional train lines for work on the Metro Tunnel, level crossing removals, major power and signalling improvements, and regional line upgrades.
An average of 36,000 vehicles travel through the notorious Reservoir level crossing each day where High Street, Cheddar Road and Spring Street intersect. The six boom gates can be down for 24 minutes during the two-hour morning peak.
In the past decade there were three recorded collisions, a fatality and 26 near misses. This includes an incident where a train and car collided earlier this year, further highlighting the need for this level crossing to be removed.
The Reservoir level crossing removal and new station are scheduled to be complete in 2020.
Quote attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We’re getting rid of this notorious bottleneck in the heart of Reservoir and with construction well underway the level crossing will be gone for good by next year.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“It’s part of the massive April construction blitz that will see major work ramp up on the Metro Tunnel, level crossing removals, and power and signalling upgrades for new bigger trains.”
Quote attributable to Member for Preston Robin Scott
“I don’t think anyone is sorry to see the old Reservoir Station now gone, and work ramping up on the level crossing removal. It’s great to see this massive project taking shape.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020