8 November 2021

Introducing your two new stations

We’re removing the dangerous and congested level crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road by building a rail bridge over the roads and building new stations at Pakenham and East Pakenham.

The Victorian Government has fast tracked these level crossings for removal as part of a $15 billion investment to upgrade the Pakenham line which will be boom gate free by 2025.

Removing these three level crossings will improve safety, reduce road congestion, and allow more trains, more often, as well as creating new community open space for locals to enjoy.

With better facilities and more services, the new premium Pakenham Station will create safer and more direct links between public transport, the town centre and additional parking. We’re extending the metropolitan rail line by two kilometres and building a new East Pakenham Station to meet the needs of this fast-growing local community.  Early works for the project have begun, with major construction starting in 2022. All of Pakenham's boom gates will be gone for good in 2023/24. The two new stations and community space will open in 2024.

The project will deliver:

  • Improved safety and less road congestion
  • A new premium Pakenham Station with better facilities and more services
  • A new East Pakenham Station for the growing local community
  • Six MCGs worth of new community open space
  • New walking and cycling connections

Making the Pakenham line level crossing-free

The Pakenham line is one of Victoria’s longest and busiest rail lines, with Metro Trains Melbourne, V/Line trains and freight trains all using the line. Creating a level crossing-free Pakenham line by 2025 will change how locals live, work and travel.

With no level crossings on the train line, journeys will be faster and local roads safer. When the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025 passengers travelling into Melbourne’s CBD from Pakenham Station will benefit from peak-hour trains every six minutes.

Why these level crossings need to go

  • 63,000 vehicles use these crossings each week day
  • Boom gates down for more than 30 minutes of the morning peak
  • 170 Metro and V/Line trains pass through the level crossings daily
  • 90,000 passengers use the Cranbourne–Pakenham line each day

Thanks for your feedback

Our design team has used the insights and feedback you have given us to create your new Pakenham and East Pakenham station precincts.

What you’ve told us you want in your new station precincts

  • Improved security
  • More green and landscaped areas
  • Improved walking and cycling connections
  • Areas to sit and relax with shelter


Your new premium Pakenham Station

Locally inspired designs

As a gateway to the town centre, the premium, accessible station reflects the regional and metropolitan character of Pakenham.

The station’s iconic roof design is inspired by Pakenham’s landscape of rolling hills and bronze sunsets.

The light-filled station will feature 14 skylights, while prominent signs will mark the heart of Pakenham.

Landscaping and seating areas around the station will create a look and feel that locals can enjoy throughout the year with vegetation along walking paths, the shared use path and station entrances.

Better connections

We heard you want easy connections and improved security. The new Pakenham Station precinct has been designed with a large forecourt which will connect to the bus interchange, car parks and two dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones.

A new bus interchange on Railway Avenue is closer to the station, making it easier to connect between train and bus services.

With more bike facilities and improved walking and cycling paths, there will be more ways for locals and visitors to get to Pakenham Station and around the town centre.

Lighting and safety

Following community feedback, the designs for the new premium station precinct includes upgraded lighting and CCTV cameras on platforms, the forecourt and surrounding car parks.

The new station will be staffed from first train in the morning until last train in the evening. A Protective Services Officer (PSO) office will also be part of the new station.

Features of the new station precinct

  • Modern facilities and more lighting to create a safer station precinct
  • Climate-controlled waiting room
  • Two access points to the station reducing train passenger congestion
  • Elevated platforms with seating protected from weather
  • Lifts and stairs making it easier for everyone to catch the train
  • All-ability access to trains
  • An additional 450 car spaces
  • Easy access to new bus interchange, Bourke Park and the town centre
  • Two dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones, close to the station
  • Parkiteer secure bike storage cage and bike hoops
  • myki facilities, a Protective Services Officer (PSO) office and kiosk

Your new East Pakenham Station

We’re extending the metropolitan rail line by two kilometres and building a new East Pakenham Station to meet the needs of this fast-growing local community.

The new East Pakenham Station ensures the right infrastructure and services are in place to support one of the busiest train lines on the network, and for this growth area of Melbourne.

New connections

The ground-level station will be easily accessible from Ryan Road in the north and Sharnet Circuit in the south, with a pedestrian underpass to access the platforms.

We heard that the local community want their station to enhance connections around the area.

The station precinct design makes provision for future bus bays, car parking, bike facilities and walking and cycling connections to cater to increased demand as the new suburb grows.

Removing the bottleneck

With four tracks, the East Pakenham Station will remove a major bottleneck for V/Line and Metro trains. Bypass and turnback tracks will improve congestion and service reliability for regional and metropolitan passengers.

The new station paves the way for more Pakenham and Gippsland line services to be added in the future.

Safety and security

The East Pakenham Station will feature a Protective Services Officer (PSO) office and will be staffed seven days a week. The station precinct will also feature CCTV cameras on platforms and station entrances, clear sightlines, and open and well-lit areas to help create a safe community precinct.

Features of the new station precinct

  • Two lifts and stairs making it easier for everyone to catch the train
  • Train passenger car parking
  • Dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones
  • Bike hoops
  • myki facilities and a Protective Services Officer (PSO) office
  • Future bus bays
  • Landscaped areas

Early works have started

Early works to remove the three level crossings in Pakenham and to extend the rail line have begun, with the level crossings gone for good in 2023/2024.

These early works will involve minor works throughout the area that need to be completed before major construction activities can begin in 2022.

This will include setting up site offices, installing temporary fencing, relocating utilities and removing vegetation that is impacted by construction.

We’ll let the community know well in advance of any upcoming disruptions or changes in the local area.

Platform view from East Pakenham Station. Artist impression only – subject to change.

Help shape your new open space

You can now provide feedback on what you would like to see in the more than six MCGs worth of new open space created below the two-and-a-half kilometre rail bridge.

Pakenham locals will use these areas for generations to come and this is your opportunity to help shape your area.

To have your say, complete the survey at the Engage Victoria website. Or you can request a hard copy by calling us on 1800 105 105. Your feedback will help shape the final designs for this 12.5 hectares of new open space. Share your views before 5pm, Monday 8 November.

Keeping in touch

To stay up to date subscribe to our email updates and select Pakenham.

If you have any questions or would like more information, call 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Follow us on social media or send us a private message on our Facebook page.

Project timeline

2020

  • Site investigations
  • Technical and engineering assessments
  • Community engagement

Early 2021

  • Community engagement
  • Further engineering investigations

Mid 2021

  • Station designs announced

Late 2021

  • Open space community consultation
  • Early works

2022

  • Construction

2023/4

  • Construction
  • Boom gates gone for good

2024

  • Pakenham and East Pakenham Stations open
  • Community space open for locals to enjoy

Timeline above subject to change