By Ethan Benedicto
A veteran officer is considered to be the single biggest contributor to the rail upgrades in the Narre Warren area.
Level Crossing Removal Project superintendent Rod Turpin was instrumental in the construction of the new, 50-metre rail bridge section over Narre Warren-Cranbourne road and had a pivotal role in the making of the original rail bridge upgrade 19 years ago.
According to Rod, the installation of the bridge to form the new rail bridge that currently extends over Webb Street was one of the most complicated projects undertaken in the southeastern suburbs.
“The original bridge was part of a road upgrade project, rather than a rail project, so it was installed quickly,” he said.
“We closed the rail line for just three days and worked round the clock to install it, the Webb Street level crossing removal is a much bigger job.”
Up to 13,200 vehicles pass through the level crossing every day, with the boom gates down for up to 33 per cent of the morning peak, so for Rod, the current plan is clear.
“We are elevating the rail line over Webb Street, building a new bridge over Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, and of course, building a new Narre Warren Station,” he said.
With the bridge installed over Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, the project team will continue working on removing the level crossing and building the new station.
Rod said that removing the level crossing will leave an important legacy for residents, commuters and drivers.
“The first-grade separation at Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road almost 20 years ago definitely made driving easier for locals.
“Removing the Webb Street level crossing will be crucial to improving that and making the road safer,” Rod said.
The 50 metre-long rail bridge is part of the new one-kilometre bridge that will permanently separate vehicles and trains at Webb Street, improving general road safety and congestion in the area.
Opting for a highly specialised self-propelled modular transporter instead of a crane, the bridge took five nights to prepare and complete, and the transporter moved it along Narre-Cranbourne Road for installation.
The new Narre Warren station will feature two accessible platforms, an air-conditioned waiting room, secure bike storage and a landscaped forecourt with seating.
The project will also improve access to the station precinct, with a new signalised pedestrian crossing on Webb Street, a new drop-off and taxi zone, and pathways with better lighting and CCTV.
Both Pakenham and Cranbourne lines will be boom gate-free when the metro tunnel opens in 2025, creating capacity for an additional 121,000 commuters every week.
