Editing Cranbourne line (section)

=== Cranbourne line upgrade ===
[[File:MerindaParkStationEntranceP1.jpg|thumb|Merinda Park station was rebuilt as part of the upgrade works]]
Announced in the lead up to the 2018 Victorian state election, the Cranbourne line would receive a $1 billion upgrade to coincide with the opening of the Metro Tunnel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |date=17 January 2023 |title=Cranbourne Line Upgrade |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/cranbourne-line-upgrade |access-date=19 January 2023 |website=Victoria’s Big Build |language=en}}</ref> The project is being delivered by the Level Crossing Removal Project, and will include:<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Cranbourne Line Upgrade |url=https://engage.vic.gov.au/lxrp-cranbourne-line-upgrade |access-date=31 December 2022 |website=Engage Victoria}}</ref>

* The removal of the four remaining level crossings (75% complete)
** Evans Road, Lyndhurst (complete)
** Greens Road, [[Dandenong South, Victoria|Dandenong South]] (complete)
** Camms Road, [[Cranbourne, Victoria|Cranbourne]] (complete)
** Webster Street, [[Dandenong, Victoria|Dandenong]] (gone by 2025)
* The duplication of {{convert|8|km|0}} of single track between Dandenong South and Cranbourne (complete)
* The installation of a second rail bridge at Abbotts Road and [[Eumemmerring Creek]] in Dandenong South (complete)
* The reconstruction of Merinda Park station (complete)
* The delivery of a new rail connection for the [[Port Rail Shuttle Network]] (underway)

In 2020, the level crossing at Evans Road in Lyndhurst was removed through the construction of a road bridge over the rail line. In early 2021, the first platform of the newly rebuilt [[Merinda Park railway station|Merinda Park station]] was opened, with the second platform opening a year later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Gabrielle |date=19 March 2021 |title=First Step for Second Track as Cranbourne Works Gather Pace |url=http://www.gabriellewilliams.com.au/media-releases/first-step-for-second-track-as-cranbourne-works-gather-pace/ |access-date=31 December 2022 |website=State Member for Dandenong |language=en-Au}}</ref> In February 2022, the second platform at Merinda Park was opened along with the completion of duplication works.<ref name=":13"/> After the duplication works, the line could now handle 10-minute frequencies during peak periods. As a result, the timetable was rewritten to allow for 50 extra Cranbourne services to operate every week.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Ray |date=14 February 2022 |title=Cranbourne line works ahead of schedule |url=https://www.railexpress.com.au/cranbourne-line-works-ahead-of-schedule/ |access-date=1 January 2023 |website=Rail Express |language=en-AU}}</ref> Alongside the duplication works, all level crossings on the line will be removed. The Cranbourne line is projected to become the first crossing-free line on the network, with the remaining two crossings and other upgrade works expected to be completed by 2025.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Arnott |first=William |date=22 February 2022 |title=Cranbourne Line Duplication finished ahead of schedule |url=https://www.insideconstruction.com.au/section/projects/cranbourne-line-duplication-finished-ahead-of-schedule/ |access-date=25 December 2022 |website=Inside Construction |language=en-US}}</ref>