- Published:
- Saturday 28 November 2015
The Andrews Labor Government has marked its first year in office by announcing that it will fast-track the removal of four more dangerous and congested level crossings.
Premier Daniel Andrews today joined Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, to announce that the level crossings at Melton Highway in Sydenham, Abbotts Road in Dandenong South, Thompsons Road in Lyndhurst, and Kororoit Creek in Williamstown North will be removed.
That means 23 level crossings removals are getting underway, with all 23 set to be gone by 2019 and at least 20 of them gone in the next three years, meeting the commitment the Labor Government made at last year’s election.
In addition, work to remove eight level crossings on the Frankston line will begin in 2018, meaning more than 30 of the 50 level crossings the Government committed to remove will be finished or underway by the next election.
The removal of the level crossings announced today will reduce congestion, improve safety and create local jobs.
Removing the Melton Highway crossing will slash congestion and pave the way for the expansion of the Watergardens Town Centre, which is expected to create over 1,000 construction and ongoing retail jobs.
In 2012, Abbotts Road level crossing was the site of a horrific collision that derailed a train and resulted in one tragic death. The Labor Government will get rid of this congested death-trap once and for all.
Removing the Thompsons Road level crossing will eliminate a major congestion hot spot on this critical transport corridor in Melbourne’s growing south east. It will be delivered as part of the duplication of Thompsons Road, another key election commitment that will reduce congestion even further.
More than 40 buses, 100 trains and 20,000 cars, trucks and bikes use Kororoit Creek Road level crossing every day. Removing it will improve traffic flow and safety, and create capacity to run more trains.
Community engagement at each site will begin in the coming weeks. For more information about the project and how to have your say, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“These level crossings are dangerous, congested and suffocate our train system. They are relics of the past and they need to go.”
“We’ve already awarded more than a billion dollars in contracts for level crossing removals. After years of inaction, we’re getting on with it.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan
“By the next election, we will have started or finished removing more than 30 level crossings across Melbourne to get home safer and sooner, every day.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Sydenham, Natalie Hutchins
"I am proud to be part of the Andrews Labor Government that will finally remove this congested, unsafe crossing in the heart of the Sydenham community, which will pave the way for a massive job-creating expansion at Watergardens Town Centre."