Glenroy Station

Glenroy Road level crossing removal project: Innovative Access Solutions for Melbourne’s Rail Infrastructure

At the Glenroy Road level crossing removal project, the rail line was lowered under the road and a brand-new Glenroy Station was constructed. SIS delivered a groundbreaking access solution that showcased our engineering innovation and technical expertise in the rail infrastructure sector. The centrepiece of our contribution was an 18 metre Layher scaffold pedestrian bridge spanning from one platform to another—the first of its kind on any level crossing project in the Southern Hemisphere. This fully DDA & BCC-compliant structure featured two stretch stairs adjoining either side of the main span, ensuring accessibility while maintaining the project’s stringent safety standards.

Our scope also included delivering a 33 metre extension to the existing platform, which presented unique challenges as it needed to perfectly match the existing infrastructure while meeting all compliance requirements. Our engineering team developed a specialised Layher scaffold design incorporating unique applications of paint, anti-slip substances, and Tac Tiles—essential elements for all train platforms. All structures were designed to accommodate public access load capacities of 5 kPa, with SIS handling everything from initial design through to final execution.

The logistics of delivering and installing the bridge demanded exceptional planning and coordination. Working with a 200 tonne crane (owned and supplied by SIS), our team successfully installed the bridge over a live railway line within an extremely narrow timeframe while accounting for challenging wind factors. This required extensive traffic management and precise coordination between our operations, sales, engineering and design teams to deliver the structure safely and on schedule. The removal phase presented even greater challenges. The client initially believed demolition would be more efficient than removal due to the extremely tight 24-hour occupation period. Drawing on our proven track record with NWPA on previous level-crossing projects, we confidently assured them of our ability to meet this demanding timeframe.

The removal operation became particularly complex as site conditions had changed since installation, with a 14 metre cut now positioned between the bridge scaffolding and the original crane location. This required significant replanning of the lift strategy, ensuring sufficient time for scaffold teams to strip the stretcher access on both east and west sides, before the main span could be removed. Despite these challenges, SIS successfully completed the dismantling of the platform extension, removal of the bridge and stretcher access, and site cleanup—all within the critical 24-hour window.