Train commuters will be forced onto replacement bus services between Moorabbin and Mordialloc until July 27 while the massive operation is underway.

Diggers are currently excavating nearly 200,000 cubic metres along a 2.5km trench between Cheltenham and Mentone stations while six of the nation’s largest cranes lift beams and move materials.

More than 1700 workers are involved in the nine-week blitz and about 50 trucks are carting soil from the area every hour.

Level Crossing Removal Project senior engineer Shauna Moore said the operation was the longest of its kind to be done in Melbourne.

“The level crossing removal work on the Frankston line is the biggest infrastructure project I’ve worked on since coming to Australia from North West Ireland in 2011,” she said.“We’ve achieved so much in these first couple of weeks thanks to months of planning and a great team out on site.”

Alan Cook from The Hot Bird in Cheltenham serves level crossing worker Tim Vander Haar. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The blitz is also bringing benefits to some local businesses, with barbecue chicken shop The Hot Bird staying open till 2.30am each night to cater for the rush of tradies.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said so far crews had dug up enough soil to fill 35 Olympic swimming pools.

“For the rest of the construction blitz our crews will be laying down rail track, installing signalling and power infrastructure while also continuing work on the new stations.,” she said.