- Published:
- Friday 23 December 2016
The Andrews Labor Government has removed eight level crossings in just two years – more than were removed in the entire decade prior to it coming to office.
Mountain Highway in Bayswater re-opened yesterday, without the boom gates that frustrated motorists and put lives at risk every single day.
The removal of the level crossing means major work is now complete in Bayswater, with trains running safely under Mountain Highway and Scoresby Road and into the brand new Bayswater Station which opened earlier this month.
After Christmas, construction crews will turn their attention to the removal of the dangerous and congested Blackburn Road and Heatherdale Road level crossings in Melbourne’s east.
From 27 December 2016 to 5 February 2017, buses will replace trains between Box Hill and Ringwood stations while construction crews lower the rail line, upgrade Blackburn Station and build a new Heatherdale Station.
When this work is complete, four dangerous crossings on the Belgrave/Lilydale line will be gone and the upgraded stations will be open. Finishing works – including car parks and landscaping – will continue throughout 2017.
On top of the eight now removed, construction is already underway on 12 other level crossing removals, with six more to start next year. By the end of 2018, 37 level crossing removals will be either finished or underway.
Work on the Bayswater station car park, bus interchange, and walking and cycling path between Mountain Highway and Scoresby Road will be completed in the New Year.
For more information or to sign up for updates, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“We’ve removed more level crossings this year than in the entire decade before we came to office.”
“We said we would remove these dangerous and congested crossings and that’s what we’re doing – keeping our promises, putting people first and getting on with it.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Metropolitan Shaun Leane
“I’d like to thank the local community for their support and patience over the past few months while we make Bayswater a better place to live, work and visit.”
“By the end of summer 10 level crossings will be gone, including four on the Belgrave/Lilydale line, helping people get home safer and sooner to their loved ones.”