VICSIG (original) (raw)

Mitcham Level Crossing Removals

Last Updated: 24th January 2014

Article Written by: Chris Gordon.

The Mitcham Level Crossing Removal Project is a Vicroads project with the main purpose of eliminating the railway level crossing at Mitcham and Rooks Roads, Mitcham. It also includes an upgrade of Mitcham Station.

Mitcham Road is a major 4 lane road in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne that runs north-south. Rooks Road is a minor road, however the terrain allows for it to be grade separated in conjunction with Mitcham Road.

After an initial feasibility study, costing and tendering throughout 2012 and 2013, construction and preparatory works started in early 2013 and an alliance was established in mid 2013, following the site clearing the works commenced (Phase One), with a major cut over construction phase planned for January 2014 (Phase Two). The plan being a 3 week closure of the railway between Ringwood and Blackburn to cut over from the high level tracks and old railway station to the new low level tracks and railway station. The extensive construction during this period will be lowering the railway through Rooks Road on the same alignment.

Completion of the final phase of the project (Phase Three) is due mid 2014, including all landscaping and architectural works.

The total project cost is $192 million.

The project is being managed by the Mitcham Level Crossing Removal Alliance, whose stakeholders are John Holland, Metro Trains Melbourne, The Victorian Government and VicRoads.

Notes about this article

This article is an unofficial account of the Mitcham Level Crossing Removal Project. Following the success of the coverage given to the Middleborough Road Project in 2006/7 and the Springvale Road Project in 2009/10 on this website, similar coverage has been given to this project in 2013/14 where possible.

Photos are taken from areas accessible to the public, text is written from observations of the works going on and references (listed at the end).

It would be great if anyone (and mostly anyone in the Alliance) could contact me and offer additional information, corrections and other comments.

1 Introduction

The old Mitcham Station

| A Down X'Trapolis train passes over the soon to be grade separated level crossing for Mitcham Road at Mitcham A Down X'Trapolis train passes over the soon to be grade separated level crossing for Mitcham Road at MitchamSaturday, 13th April 2013Photo: Chris Gordon | The ground level station looking in the Up direction at Mitcham The ground level station looking in the Up direction at MitchamSaturday, 13th April 2013Photo: Chris Gordon | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |

2 Early Works

Early Works consisted of relocating the main cable route and placing the 22 kV traction supply underground.

Early works for the Mitcham and Rooks Road Grade Separations to relocate the main cable route at Mitcham Early works for the Mitcham and Rooks Road Grade Separations to relocate the main cable route at MitchamSaturday, 13th April 2013Photo: Chris Gordon Early works for the Mitcham and Rooks Road Grade Separations to relocate the main cable route at Mitcham Early works for the Mitcham and Rooks Road Grade Separations to relocate the main cable route at MitchamSaturday, 13th April 2013Photo: Chris Gordon Early works for the Mitcham and Rooks Road Grade Separations to relocate the main cable route at Mitcham Early works for the Mitcham and Rooks Road Grade Separations to relocate the main cable route at MitchamSaturday, 13th April 2013Photo: Chris Gordon

3 Main Construction

The Main Construction period in the second half of 2013.

3.1 Mitcham Road Bridge

The placement of the Mitcham Road Bridge

3.2 Mitcham Station

The new station at Mitcham

A section of the new station delivered by truck at Mitcham A section of the new station delivered by truck at MitchamFriday, 18th October 2013Photo: Chris Gordon A section of the new station is lifted into position at Mitcham A section of the new station is lifted into position at MitchamFriday, 18th October 2013Photo: Chris Gordon A section of the new station is lifted into position at Mitcham A section of the new station is lifted into position at MitchamFriday, 18th October 2013Photo: Chris Gordon
A section of the new station is lifted into position, as the new station takes shape above the future platforms at Mitcham A section of the new station is lifted into position, as the new station takes shape above the future platforms at MitchamFriday, 18th October 2013Photo: Chris Gordon Section of the new station are lifted into place at Mitcham Section of the new station are lifted into place at MitchamFriday, 18th October 2013Photo: Chris Gordon

3.3 Water Pipe

Special bridge for the water pipe.

3.4 Simla Street Bridge

New bridge for Simla Street

3.5 Rooks Road Bridge

Preparation works for the Rooks Road Bridge

4 Main Shutdown - January 2014

The main construction period over January 2014.

4.1 Week 1

The line closed between Ringwood and Blackburn in the evening of the 2nd January. Following the closure isolations, and dismantling of the old infrastructure began.

Dismantling of the old tracks at Mitcham Dismantling of the old tracks at MitchamFriday, 3rd January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Dismantling the old tracks at Rooks Road at Mitcham Dismantling the old tracks at Rooks Road at MitchamFriday, 3rd January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Dismantling the old tracks at Rooks Road at Mitcham Dismantling the old tracks at Rooks Road at MitchamFriday, 3rd January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
New station concourse at Mitcham New station concourse at MitchamFriday, 3rd January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon New station platforms at Mitcham New station platforms at MitchamFriday, 3rd January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Old and new alignments at Mitcham Old and new alignments at MitchamFriday, 3rd January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Mitcham Road level crossing, with all level crossing infrastructure removed at Mitcham Mitcham Road level crossing, with all level crossing infrastructure removed at MitchamSaturday, 4th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Old level crossing and overhead infrastructure awaits transport to the scrap metal merchant at Mitcham Old level crossing and overhead infrastructure awaits transport to the scrap metal merchant at MitchamSaturday, 4th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Removal of the old tracks at Mitcham Removal of the old tracks at MitchamSaturday, 4th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Works progressing on the lowering of the tracks under Rooks Road at Mitcham Works progressing on the lowering of the tracks under Rooks Road at MitchamSaturday, 4th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Works to lower the railway line near Rooks Road at Mitcham Works to lower the railway line near Rooks Road at MitchamSaturday, 4th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Demolition works almost complete of the old station at Mitcham Demolition works almost complete of the old station at MitchamSunday, 5th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Demolition works almost complete of the old station at Mitcham Demolition works almost complete of the old station at MitchamSunday, 5th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Works to lower the railway line at Mitcham Works to lower the railway line at MitchamSunday, 5th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Works to realign the railway line under Mitcham Road at Mitcham Works to realign the railway line under Mitcham Road at MitchamSunday, 5th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
The temporary terminus due to Rooks Rd grade separation works at Blackburn The temporary terminus due to Rooks Rd grade separation works at BlackburnMonday, 6th January 2014Photo: Luke Bailey Demolition of the old station at Mitcham Demolition of the old station at MitchamMonday, 6th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Looking towards Rooks Road from Nunawading showing the works to lower the railway line at Mitcham Looking towards Rooks Road from Nunawading showing the works to lower the railway line at MitchamMonday, 6th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Works to lower and realign the railway line at Mitcham Works to lower and realign the railway line at MitchamMonday, 6th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Works to lower and realign the railway line at Mitcham Works to lower and realign the railway line at MitchamMonday, 6th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Works to lower the railway line at Mitcham Works to lower the railway line at MitchamMonday, 6th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Works to lower the railway line at Mitcham Works to lower the railway line at MitchamMonday, 6th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Works to lower the railway line at Mitcham Works to lower the railway line at MitchamMonday, 6th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Works to lower the railway line at Mitcham Works to lower the railway line at MitchamMonday, 6th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Works to lower the railway line at Mitcham Works to lower the railway line at MitchamTuesday, 7th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Works to lower the railway line at Mitcham Works to lower the railway line at MitchamTuesday, 7th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Works to lower and realign the railway line at Mitcham Works to lower and realign the railway line at MitchamWednesday, 8th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Works to lower the railway line at Mitcham Works to lower the railway line at MitchamWednesday, 8th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Works to lower and realign the railway line at Mitcham Works to lower and realign the railway line at MitchamThursday, 9th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Works to lower the railway line at Mitcham Works to lower the railway line at MitchamThursday, 9th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Works to lower the railway line at Mitcham Works to lower the railway line at MitchamThursday, 9th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Works to lower the railway line at Mitcham Works to lower the railway line at MitchamThursday, 9th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work continues on the lowering and realignment of the railway line under Mitcham Road at Mitcham Work continues on the lowering and realignment of the railway line under Mitcham Road at MitchamFriday, 10th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Work continues on the lowering and realignment of the railway line under Mitcham Road at Mitcham Work continues on the lowering and realignment of the railway line under Mitcham Road at MitchamFriday, 10th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work continues on the new station at Mitcham Work continues on the new station at MitchamFriday, 10th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Works to lower the railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham Works to lower the railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamFriday, 10th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Works to lower the railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham Works to lower the railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamFriday, 10th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon

4.2 Week 2

With the majority of the excavation complete, work progressed on track construction, overhead and signalling.

The deck of the Rooks Road Bridge being poured at Mitcham The deck of the Rooks Road Bridge being poured at MitchamSaturday, 11th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon The deck of the Rooks Road Bridge being poured, while work in the cutting continues at Mitcham The deck of the Rooks Road Bridge being poured, while work in the cutting continues at MitchamSaturday, 11th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on lowering of the railway line to pass under Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on lowering of the railway line to pass under Rooks Road at MitchamSaturday, 11th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Work progressing on lowering of the railway line to pass under Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on lowering of the railway line to pass under Rooks Road at MitchamSaturday, 11th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on the new track passing under Mitcham Road at Mitcham Work progressing on the new track passing under Mitcham Road at MitchamSaturday, 11th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamSunday, 12th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Work progressing on the new track passing under Mitcham Road at Mitcham Work progressing on the new track passing under Mitcham Road at MitchamSunday, 12th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamMonday, 13th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on the new track passing under Mitcham Road at Mitcham Work progressing on the new track passing under Mitcham Road at MitchamMonday, 13th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Work progressing on the new track passing under Mitcham Road at Mitcham Work progressing on the new track passing under Mitcham Road at MitchamMonday, 13th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamTuesday, 14th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamTuesday, 14th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamTuesday, 14th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Temporary termination of trains at Blackburn Temporary termination of trains at BlackburnWednesday, 15th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Temporary termination of trains at Blackburn Temporary termination of trains at BlackburnWednesday, 15th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Temporary termination of trains at Blackburn Temporary termination of trains at BlackburnWednesday, 15th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Temporary walkways between the bus interchange and the train station at Blackburn Temporary walkways between the bus interchange and the train station at BlackburnWednesday, 15th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon The new Rooks Road bridge over the lowered railway line at Mitcham The new Rooks Road bridge over the lowered railway line at MitchamWednesday, 15th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
The new Rooks Road Bridge over the railway line at Mitcham The new Rooks Road Bridge over the railway line at MitchamWednesday, 15th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on installation of the overhead on the lowered and realigned railway line under Mitcham Road at Mitcham Work progressing on installation of the overhead on the lowered and realigned railway line under Mitcham Road at MitchamWednesday, 15th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamWednesday, 15th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamWednesday, 15th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamWednesday, 15th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamWednesday, 15th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Work progressing on the new Railway Station at Mitcham Work progressing on the new Railway Station at MitchamWednesday, 15th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on the new Railway Station at Mitcham Work progressing on the new Railway Station at MitchamWednesday, 15th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on the new Railway Station at Mitcham Work progressing on the new Railway Station at MitchamWednesday, 15th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Work progressing on the new Railway Station at Mitcham Work progressing on the new Railway Station at MitchamWednesday, 15th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Construction of the new station continues at Mitcham Construction of the new station continues at MitchamThursday, 16th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon New track nearing completion lower and realigned under Mitcham Road at Mitcham New track nearing completion lower and realigned under Mitcham Road at MitchamThursday, 16th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamThursday, 16th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on lowering the railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamThursday, 16th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on construction of the new track under Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on construction of the new track under Rooks Road at MitchamFriday, 17th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Work progressing on construction of the new track under Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on construction of the new track under Rooks Road at MitchamFriday, 17th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Construction works continue on the new station at Mitcham Construction works continue on the new station at MitchamSaturday, 18th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Tamping of the new Down line progressing near Rooks Road at Mitcham Tamping of the new Down line progressing near Rooks Road at MitchamSaturday, 18th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Work progressing on construction of the new track near Rooks Road at Mitcham Work progressing on construction of the new track near Rooks Road at MitchamSaturday, 18th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Work progressing on construction of the new track to join up with the existing track at Mitcham Work progressing on construction of the new track to join up with the existing track at MitchamSaturday, 18th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Works progressing on the installation of the new overhead under Mitcham Road at Mitcham Works progressing on the installation of the new overhead under Mitcham Road at MitchamSaturday, 18th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon

4.3 Week 3

With track work complete, overhead installation and signalling works continued before test trains and driver training commenced. Works continued on completing the new station at Mitcham

Completed track works under the Rooks Road bridge at Mitcham Completed track works under the Rooks Road bridge at MitchamSunday, 19th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Track works complete near Rooks Road and awaiting overhead installation at Mitcham Track works complete near Rooks Road and awaiting overhead installation at MitchamSunday, 19th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Track works nearing completion near the connection to the existing tracks at Mitcham Track works nearing completion near the connection to the existing tracks at MitchamSunday, 19th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Track works nearing completion near the connection to the existing tracks at Mitcham Track works nearing completion near the connection to the existing tracks at MitchamSunday, 19th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Works progressing on connecting the new works to the existing tracks near Nunawading at Mitcham Works progressing on connecting the new works to the existing tracks near Nunawading at MitchamSunday, 19th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Installation of the overhead continues at Mitcham Installation of the overhead continues at MitchamMonday, 20th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
Installation of the overhead continues, while an inspection takes place at Mitcham Installation of the overhead continues, while an inspection takes place at MitchamMonday, 20th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Installation of the overhead continues, with the 1500 V DC Feeders glowing in the late afternoon sun at Mitcham Installation of the overhead continues, with the 1500 V DC Feeders glowing in the late afternoon sun at MitchamMonday, 20th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon The new alignment of the railway line under Mitcham Road at Mitcham The new alignment of the railway line under Mitcham Road at MitchamTuesday, 21st January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
The new alignment of the railway line under Mitcham Road, with the old alignment to the right at Mitcham The new alignment of the railway line under Mitcham Road, with the old alignment to the right at MitchamTuesday, 21st January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon The new lowered railway line near Rooks Road at Mitcham The new lowered railway line near Rooks Road at MitchamThursday, 23rd January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon The new lowered railway line under Mitcham Road at Mitcham The new lowered railway line under Mitcham Road at MitchamThursday, 23rd January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
The new lowered railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham The new lowered railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamThursday, 23rd January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon The new lowered railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham The new lowered railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamThursday, 23rd January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon X'Trapolis 156M-1378T-155M-862M-1631T-861M on a test train run for the new lowered railway line near Rooks Road at Mitcham X'Trapolis 156M-1378T-155M-862M-1631T-861M on a test train run for the new lowered railway line near Rooks Road at MitchamThursday, 23rd January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
X'Trapolis 861M-1631T-862M-155M-1378T-156M runs wrong line during a test train run, passing under the new Rooks Road bridge at Mitcham X'Trapolis 861M-1631T-862M-155M-1378T-156M runs wrong line during a test train run, passing under the new Rooks Road bridge at MitchamThursday, 23rd January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Bus bays on the site of the former station at Mitcham Bus bays on the site of the former station at MitchamFriday, 24th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Entry and concourse for the new station at Mitcham Entry and concourse for the new station at MitchamFriday, 24th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
The new lowered and realigned railway line on the Up side of the station at Mitcham The new lowered and realigned railway line on the Up side of the station at MitchamFriday, 24th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon The new lowered railway line under Rooks Road at Mitcham The new lowered railway line under Rooks Road at MitchamFriday, 24th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon The new platforms and station at Mitcham The new platforms and station at MitchamFriday, 24th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
The new platforms and station at Mitcham The new platforms and station at MitchamFriday, 24th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon The new platforms and station at Mitcham The new platforms and station at MitchamFriday, 24th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon The new platforms and station at Mitcham The new platforms and station at MitchamFriday, 24th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon

5 Mitcham Station - Open Day

Train services resumed between Blackburn and Ringwood on Saturday 25th January 2014. To mark the event an open day was held at Mitcham station from 10am until 2pm that day.

The new station platforms and concourse at Mitcham The new station platforms and concourse at MitchamSaturday, 25th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon The new station with stair and ramp access to the platforms at Mitcham The new station with stair and ramp access to the platforms at MitchamSaturday, 25th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon The new station with stair and ramp access to the platforms at Mitcham The new station with stair and ramp access to the platforms at MitchamSaturday, 25th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
The Premier of Victoria and local MP arrive to inspect and open the new station at Mitcham The Premier of Victoria and local MP arrive to inspect and open the new station at MitchamSaturday, 25th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon The Premier of Victoria and local MP conduct a door stop with the media following the opening of the new station at Mitcham The Premier of Victoria and local MP conduct a door stop with the media following the opening of the new station at MitchamSaturday, 25th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon The Premier of Victoria and local MPs officially open the new station at Mitcham The Premier of Victoria and local MPs officially open the new station at MitchamSaturday, 25th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
The Premier of Victoria and local MPs tour the new station at Mitcham The Premier of Victoria and local MPs tour the new station at MitchamSaturday, 25th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon The Premier of Victoria makes a speech at the opening of the new station at Mitcham The Premier of Victoria makes a speech at the opening of the new station at MitchamSaturday, 25th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon Up Automatic signal L682 at Mitcham Up Automatic signal L682 at MitchamSaturday, 25th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
X'Trapolis 64M on a Belgrave bound service prepares to stop at the new station at Mitcham X'Trapolis 64M on a Belgrave bound service prepares to stop at the new station at MitchamSaturday, 25th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon X'Trapolis train 101M bound for the city about to pass under Mitcham Road at Mitcham X'Trapolis train 101M bound for the city about to pass under Mitcham Road at MitchamSaturday, 25th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon X'Trapolis train 955M bound for Belgrave passes under the Simla Street bridge at Mitcham X'Trapolis train 955M bound for Belgrave passes under the Simla Street bridge at MitchamSaturday, 25th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon
X'Trapolis trains 94M and 121M cross at the new station at Mitcham X'Trapolis trains 94M and 121M cross at the new station at MitchamSaturday, 25th January 2014Photo: Chris Gordon