More than 30 homes and businesses will be bought by the Victorian government so it can sink a suburban train line.
The Cheltenham and Mentone train stations on the Frankston line will be rebuilt as part of the Andrews Labor government's rail crossing removal blitz to increase safety and reduce traffic jams.
Heavy criticism followed their decision to create a skyrail along the Dandenong line to remove level crossings and there had been speculation the Frankston line might also be elevated.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan says the decision to sink Cheltenham and Mentone came after public consultation last year.
"Here it's different," she said.
Ms Allan said the Frankston tracks will be sunk at two stations, whereas the Dandenong line would have required a much longer trench.
Residents of 25 homes and seven businesses were told of the acquisition on Sunday night and Monday morning, Ms Allan said.
Owners of land only partially needed for the works will be given the option to sell their entire property to the government.
Opposition leader Matthew Guy says all level crossings should be underground and accused the government of favouring a marginal seat.
"I think it's pretty clear the remainder of the Frankston line will be skyrail," he said.
"It just beggars belief how the government could play politics with infrastructure so obviously in a marginal seat putting these crossings underground and down the line putting them as skyrail."
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