All aboard for Bentleigh Station project

Australian Handrail’s, a division of NJM Group, has continued to showcase its commitment to improving Victoria’s public transport sector by securing the contract to install hand rails and architectural metal works for the rebuild of Bentleigh Station.

This is Australian Handrail’s seventh rail project with Metro Trains Melbourne after completing previous services at Springvale, Cardinia, Nunawading, Lynbrook and Laverton North stations, as well as the installation of illuminated safety hand rails behind Southern Cross Station.

With such an impressive railway portfolio, it is little wonder that Australian Handrails has succeeded in acquiring this prestigious deal. This will serve as the fifth time they have collaborated with John Holland, one of the country’s leading engineering companies, on a Metro Trains venture.

Australian Hand Rails has also partnered with a number of other outstanding organisations to complete various rail projects including Arup (Nunawading Station), McConnell Dowell Constructors (Springvale Station), Grimshaw Architects (Nunawading Station), Coleman Rail and Cox Architecture.

The reconfiguring is part of the State Government’s Level Crossing Removal campaign, a long term endeavour with a final target of 50 by 2022. Officially titled the North McKinnon Project, this development has already begun with Bentleigh and neighbouring Frankston line stations McKinnon and Ormond all currently under construction, while the Burke Road crossing in Glen Iris was removed in January this year.

The multi-million dollar revamp will see Australian Handrails deliver a vast array of metal work services including handrails, perforated panelling, balustrading, architectural platform screens, staircases and ramps to enhance safety and the passenger experience at Bentleigh Station.

Compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), these updates will not only improve the standard of Bentleigh Station but will serve to boost the productivity of the Metro Trains network in general once the refurbishment is finalised.

Benefits to the general public will be plentiful. Aside from Australian Handrails’ extensive preventative measures, the reconstruction will also include the implementation of Myki gates, a pedestrian crossing and retail frontage within the station.

Awarding winning London firm Grimshaw Architects, whose local track record includes Flinders Street Station and Southern Cross Station, is responsible for planning the development whilst Arup, famous for the structural design of the Sydney Opera House, are the engineers behind the project.

The Bentleigh Station upgrades are yet another example of Australian Handrails’ dedication to increasing safety of passengers and employees in public transport circles across Victoria.