Sky is the limit at Preston

Back to Newsfeed

So much has happened on site at Preston over the past few months as we work to remove 4 level crossings and build new stations at Preston and Bell.

The construction team has continued work on the elevated rail line, installing more concrete segments and adding screens, balustrades and overhead power line structures.

Last week, the team installed the final concrete segment for the city-bound elevated structure. Later this year, trains will use this city-bound rail bridge while construction continues on the Mernda-bound bridge and new stations.

Work starts soon to build the new rail track in the elevated rail structure; around 4 kilometres of track will arrive in Preston – alongside 21,000 tonnes of ballast and 7000 sleepers. It’s a big job!

At Bell Station, we recently installed 2 lift shafts. Each lift is more than 15m tall, 3.2m wide and weighs 11.5 tonnes.

The lift shafts were manufactured in Dandenong South and painted in Laverton before being transported to Bell Station. The lift shafts will be craned into Preston Station later this year.

For our heavy lifters, the Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) is a massive remote controlled agile lifting machine that has been helping to install 18 of the project's 232 giant concrete beams.

Featuring 16 axles and 128 wheels all working together, it allows our highly skilled team to manoeuvre tight spaces with precision.

The level crossings at Oakover Road, Bell Street, Cramer Street and Murray Road in Preston are currently being removed.

The rail line will be raised over the roads on the Mernda line, delivering new open space underneath the 2km rail bridge.

These level crossings will be removed by the end of 2022 and the open space ready for locals to enjoy in 2023.

Level Crossing Removal Bell Street, PrestonMurray Road, PrestonCramer Street, PrestonOakover Road, Preston