Aurecon, with its Alliance partners, were chosen by the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) to design and construct the Level Crossing Removal Project: Caulfield to Dandenong.

Melbourne’s busiest rail lines, Cranbourne and Pakenham, use the level crossings that cross some of the most heavily congested roads in the region. Boom barriers at the crossings were down for up to 82 minutes in total during peak travel times.

By removing the level crossings and creating an elevated rail line, community and commuter safety has improved around the crossings themselves, but also enhanced the liveability of communities and reduced travel times for road users.

Traffic flow has also improved, and congestion has reduced on surrounding roads. The Alliance’s design significantly improved community connectivity and returned unused space to the community as green spaces and parkland.

Aurecon delivered the Caulfield to Dandenong package as part of an Alliance with CPB Contractors, Lendlease, WSP, LXRA and Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM). Aurecon was the Principal Engineer Designer, with WSP, across all disciplines:

Rail Systems (track, overhead wiring, signalling, services routes, traction power and substations)
Civil structures (viaduct and retaining walls)
Station building structures and roads and linear parks
Specialist planning and environment advice secured the project approvals necessary for construction, with ongoing guidance throughout the delivery phase

The project included the redevelopment of five railway stations; Carnegie, Murrumbeena, Hughesdale, Clayton and Noble Park. Murrumbeena station achieved a 5-Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council Australia for its sustainable approach to design.

Additionally, the project removed nine level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs and provided signalling and power system upgrades between Flinders Street Station and Pakenham Station, to enhance rail network capacity and reliability.

This built on Aurecon’s involvement in the Victorian Government’s commitment to remove 75 level crossings around the state.

A multidisciplinary and collaborative Alliance

Aurecon has worked closely with VicRoads, the Level Crossing Removal Project, local councils and Alliance and construction partners to manage State Government approvals to facilitate the removal of level crossings, and delivery of new stations and public open space at 19 of the 39 sites to date.

This included the planning and delivery of removals at Furlong, Main, Blackburn and Heatherdale Roads as well as the multi-award winning Caulfield to Dandenong, plus the delivery at Evans Road and Cardinia. Aurecon has also provided the planning of Burke and North Roads as well as Bayswater (Mountain Highway and Scoresby Road).

Aurecon is currently completing the delivery of Fitzgerald and Robinsons Roads. Navigating the complex planning approvals, and delivering solutions that improve connectivity, is critical for the timely delivery of the Victorian Government’s commitment to increase public safety, facilitate micro-economic efficiencies via improved traffic flow, increase connectivity and revitalise communities.

Using digital to enhance collaboration

Aurecon’s digital team ensured that all project teams worked collaboratively with live models that contained the most up-to-date project information. The digital team ensured that everything from modelled finished surface levels to modelled drainage, equipment and pits was easily accessible and exportable.

Learn more about how Aurecon and our Alliance partners embraced digital engineering in the case study below:

Aurecon with its Alliance partners – CPB Contractors, Lendlease, WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff and Metro Trains Melbourne – were selected by the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) to remove nine dangerous level crossings, and elevate three sections of rail line between the Melbourne suburbs of Caulfield and Dandenong.

Case Study: Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossing Removal Project ›

In February 2016, Aurecon with its Alliance partners, were selected as the preferred consortium by the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) to design and construct the Level Crossing Removal Project: Caulfield to Dandenong.

Case Study: Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossing Removal Project ›

The project successfully challenged the status quo and created a united front to apply a variety of innovative solutions and experiences including:

Drone flyovers using photogeometry
Visualisation models for signal sighting, working closely with Geographical Information System (GIS) team
QR Codes on assets to develop a Facility Management model
4D digital design models for construction sequencing
Lightning protection of viaduct structures and stations whilst minimising electrolysis risk
Developing an accurate model to do a material/quantity take-off

Award winning

The Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossing Removal Project has won numerous industry awards for its exemplar reimagining of the relationship between large rail infrastructure and public amenity.

List of awards:

Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) Awards 2022 – Outstanding Achievement for Infrastructure Sustainability As-Built – Aurecon, Acciona, CPB, WSP, Metro Trains Melbourne and Level Crossing Removal Project
Engineers Australia – Australian Engineering Excellence Awards 2020 – Victoria Division
Railway Technical Society of Australasia (RTSA) – Biennial Railway Project Award 2020
National Landscape Architecture Awards 2019 – Landscape Architecture Award – ASPECT Studios
GOV Design Awards 2019 – Gold in Urban Design – Aurecon, Lendlease, CPB Contractors, WSP and Metro Trains Melbourne
Australian Urban Design Awards 2019 – Commendation – ASPECT Studios with Cox Architecture
Parks and Leisure Australia Awards 2019 – Park of the Year Award Winner – ASPECT Studios, Level Crossing Removal Project, Lendlease/CPB and COX Architecture
ISCA Awards 2019 – The IS Innovation and Impact Award Winner
Consult Australia Awards for Excellence 2019 – Gold in Project Team Collaboration – Aurecon, Lendlease, CPB Contractors and WSP
Good Design Australia Awards 2019 – Gold in Architectural (Urban) – Aurecon, ASPECT Studios, Cox Architecture, Double-A Communications and WSP
Infrastructure Partnership Australia’s (IPA) National Infrastructure Awards 2019 – Industry Choice Award – Aurecon, CPB Contractors, Lendlease, WSP and Metro Trains Melbourne
Infrastructure Partnership Australia’s (IPA) National Infrastructure Awards 2019 – Government Partnerships Excellence Award – Aurecon, CPB Contractors, Lendlease, WSP and Metro Trains Melbourne
Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Awards 2018 – Built Environment

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