After months of work the upgraded Deer Park railway station and new Mt Derrimut Road rail bridge opened on Monday. There were plenty of excited passengers at the station on Monday, who were among the first to utilise the recently opened rail services.
Ronal Fernnde said the new development was a direct solution to the congestion.
“No more congestion, this renewal system is very convenient,” said Mr Fennde.
With free fares from April 24 to May 7, Mr Fennde said he would save $10 every day.
Another commuter Nishent Nkra said the new development will make his traveling to and from work much easier.
“I welcome this development as it makes my life easier by taking away the congestion I was going through on my way from and to work.”
Similar sentiments of appreciation were echoed by Gonnor Berry and Chloe Jewers as they waited to catch a train to travel to Melbourne toward to watch a football match.
“This is our first to use the train after this new development and it looks nice and is efficient,” said Mr Berry.
Jewers said she was looking forward to a congestion free experience at the new Mt Derrimut Road Rail Bridge.
“There is more space at these elevated train platforms and no interruptions from cars,” said Miss Jewers.
Major work will still continue at the station the next few months, including installing lifts and ramps, fitting myki readers, creating 150 new and upgraded car parks and building the multi-bay bus interchange and pick-up-drop-off zones.
There will also be landscaping around the precinct and improved connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, including a connection to both sides of the new station.
With the level crossing gone and the station open, crews will turn their attention to upgrading the road intersection, with Mt Derrimut Road to close at the level crossing from 5am Monday May 1 to 5am Friday, June 2.
“The community will welcome seeing the back of the Mt Derrimut Road level crossing. It will make a huge difference to how people move around the area, reducing congestion and making it safer to travel,” said Kororoit MP Luba Grigorovitch.
While works continue on the station, temporary access arrangements will be in place, with the installation of lifts and ramps expected to be completed late this year.
