- Published:
- Monday 19 September 2016
The Andrews Labor Government will have 37 level crossings removed or underway by 2018, with 11 more crossings today released to market after yesterday’s long term lease of the Port of Melbourne.
Acting Premier James Merlino joined Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan to call for Expressions of Interest for two new major packages of level crossing removals.
As part of the North-Western Package, Camp Road in Campbellfield and Buckley Street in Essendon will be fast-tracked. Work will start next year and both will be gone by 2019.
The North-Western package also includes the removal of level crossings at Glenroy Road in Glenroy, Bell Street in Coburg, and Moreland Road in Brunswick.
Construction of the level crossing removal at Kororoit Creek Road in Williamstown North and the partial duplication of the Altona Loop will also begin next year, as part of the Western Package of crossing removals.
The Western package also includes the removal of crossings at Abbotts Road in Dandenong South, Aviation Road in Laverton, Ferguson Street in Williamstown, and Cherry and Werribee Streets in Werribee.
These packages will help industry build and maintain skilled workforces, with successful bidders required to meet strict performance measures in order to remove the other crossings in their packages of works.
By the end of 2018, at least 37 dangerous and congested level crossings will removed or underway, with detailed planning or consultation underway at every remaining crossing.
More information about the EOI is available at tenders.vic.gov.au. For more information about the level crossing removal project, fully funded by the lease of the Port, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Acting Premier James Merlino
“Yesterday we kept our promise on the Port of Melbourne, and today we’re getting on with removing 50 of Victoria’s most dangerous and congested level crossings.”
“These death traps clog our streets, hold back our train system and put lives at risk – and we’re not wasting a moment getting rid of them.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“This is one of the biggest building programs in Australian history, being delivered well ahead schedule and creating thousands of jobs across Victoria.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Essendon Danny Pearson
“The boom gates at Buckley Street are down for nearly 80 minutes in the morning peak. It’s congested, it’s dangerous, it’s got to go and we’re getting rid of it.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Niddrie Ben Carroll
“In just a few years’ time the congested crossing on Buckley Street will be gone, and we’ll be well on the way to removing 49 others across Melbourne, reducing congestion, improving safety and saving lives.”