Aerial view of Union Road bridge over rail trench with train after removal of level dangerous crossing. - stock photo

Melbourne, Australia - Nov 4, 2023: Aerial view of new Union Road bridge over rail trench after removal of level dangerous crossing. A city-bound PTV/MTM (Metro Trains Melbourne) commuter train passes under Union Road, Surrey Hills. Box Hill can be seen in the distance. The original Surrey Hills railway station has been removed and the area transformed into a station car park (parking lot) Victoria’s Big Build removed 2 of Melbourne’s most dangerous and congested level crossings at Union Road, Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert and built a brand-new Union Station. Early works started in June 2021, the level crossings were removed in May 2023 and the fast-tracked station opened on Monday 22 May with trains running on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines in the new 1.3km rail trench beneath Mont Albert and Union roads. The works will ease congestion and make driving safer as the crossing boom gates at these sites were down for up to 40% of the morning peak, when up to 61 trains ran through the crossings. A double fatality at the Union Road crossing in September 2016 was one of the catalysts for he crossing removal. The trench was constructed in remarkably quick time but the impact on local residents was quite severe and disruptive.