Mernda residents remain hopeful the companies vying to build the town’s new rail extension will consider laying the tracks at or below ground level.
This is despite the state government’s final designs, released on May 19, featuring elevated rail bridges at Bridge Inn Road, Hawkstowe Parade and The Parkway.
The rest of the track will be built at ground level.
The decision to use elevated rail for part of the eight-kilometre extension goes against concerns raised by the council and the community about the visual impact of ‘sky rail’.
In March, the council wrote to Premier Daniel Andrews and Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, saying it feared elevated rail would undermine the “strong sense of place” that exists in the rail corridor, and would dominate the future Mernda town centre.
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South Morang and Mernda Rail Alliance spokesman Darren Peters said the community hoped companies vying for the tender would consider all options.
He said there were concerns that the use of elevated rail bridges would detract from the ambience of the area, and fears train passengers would be able to see into back gardens.
Bridges the ‘best option’
Level Crossing Removal Authority project director Graeme Chambers said bridges were needed along the line to ensure no new level crossings were created.
He said that the presence of hard basalt rock and shallow ground water along sections of the extension – as well as the community’s desire to protect native wildlife and waterways – meant rail bridges were “the best option”.
The extension is due to open in 2019 and will include a premium station at Mernda. A second station will be built near South Morang’s Marymede Catholic College.
Bidders for the rail extension contract have been asked to price a third station near Hawkstowe Parade.
John Holland and a McConnell Dowell Constructors/UGL Engineering joint venture have been shortlisted to submit tenders for the extension.
A contract for the project is expected to be awarded in early 2017. Construction on the track extension is due to start soon afterwards.
