The Victorian Government will make Brunswick less congested, create more open space and ensure the Upfield Line has capacity to deliver more services in the future.
Consultation is now open for locals to have their say on designs to remove eight dangerous and congested level crossings which will see Jewell, Brunswick and Anstey stations consolidated into two new accessible stations by 2030.
Eighteen months of technical and engineering assessments have identified that merging three stations to two will make it easier to further boost capacity on the line in the future and deliver more open space.
The three existing stations are within 1,500 metres from each other, making them among the closest stations on the network.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson spoke about this monumental project.
“This project will be a game changer for Brunswick and Parkville – it will reduce congestion, deliver two brand new and accessible stations and pave the way for extra trains on the Upfield Line in the future,” he said.
The two new accessible stations will be located between 200 and 450 metres from the current stations and will feature entrances at both ends of the platforms – creating direct and easy access between train services and residential areas – along with new cycling and walking paths.
This will also minimise the impact to heritage in the area, with the rail bridge design set to help preserve significant buildings including the former Brunswick Gas & Coke Retort House and Brunswick Baths – along with signal boxes and other infrastructure.
The boom gates at Albion Street, Hope Street, Victoria Street, Albert Street, Dawson Street, Union Street and Brunswick Road in Brunswick, and Park Street in Parkville will be removed and replaced by an elevated rail line – delivering four MCGs of new open space once the project is complete.
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Sheena Watt discussed what this means for the community.
“We’re inviting the community to have their say and help shape this crucial project that will improve transport connections, make road safer and deliver more open space to Brunswick.”
More than 70,000 vehicles travel through these crossings every day, where there have been 36 near misses since 2016 – with the boom gates down for up to 30 minutes of the morning peak.
Early works on the project are expected to begin in 2028, with the eight level crossings be gone for good, and the two new stations open in 2030.
To help shape the designs and to have your say on the Brunswick level crossing removal crossing project, visit engage.vic.gov.au.
