- Published:
- Sunday 3 January 2021
The Andrews Labor Government’s Big Build summer works will ramp up this week, with major construction getting underway to remove another dangerous and congested level crossing in Melbourne’s north.
Acting Premier and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today visited the site of the $285.6 million Glenroy level crossing removal project, which will deliver 500 local jobs as crews remove the crossing and build a brand-new station for Glenroy.
The busy Glenroy Road crossing is one of the most congested in Melbourne – with boom gates down for more than 40 per cent of the two-hour morning peak, causing delays and frustration for the 19,000 drivers who cross it each day.
Crews will use the quieter summer period to relocate underground utilities and install foundations for the new rail trench that will safely separate trains and cars and remove the level crossing for good. The project will be delivered by an alliance of John Holland Group, Kellogg Brown and Root and Metro Trains Melbourne.
Buses will replace trains on sections of the Craigieburn line, and coaches will replace trains on all Seymour and Shepparton services from 9pm on Thursday, 7 January until 10pm on Saturday, 16 January. Glenroy Road will be closed at the level crossing from Thursday, 7 January to Sunday, 28 February.
During the closure, the old Glenroy Station buildings will be demolished, and temporary station facilities installed to prepare the site for major excavation, which will see the rail line lowered into a trench slightly east of the current rail line – enabling trains to keep running for most of the works.
When it opens next year, the new Glenroy Station will provide a modern gateway for commuters, transforming the station precinct by connecting Post Office Place and Hartington Street for the first time in 100 years.
While coaches are replacing regional train services for the level crossing works, V/Line will continue delivering the Labor Government’s $328.4 million investment in critical public transport and roads maintenance and upgrades.
Works on Kilmore East’s station improvement will continue, while a $1 million rail milling program will ensure track between Donnybrook and Kilmore East is in good condition. Track maintenance will take place right along the Seymour and Shepparton lines, as well as early works on Stage 2 of the Shepparton Line Upgrade.
Across Melbourne, crews have been working around the clock to take advantage of the quieter roads, with West Gate Bridge maintenance work completed early, and Yarra Trams maintenance works on Bridge Road between Church Street and Burwood Road underway until Saturday, 16 January.
Work on the West Gate Tunnel Project will continue as crews begin demolishing the Grieve Parade overpass before rebuilding it to allow for two extra lanes each way. The West Gate Freeway will close in both directions at Grieve Parade from Wednesday, 6 January until Monday, 11 January.
Inbound and outbound West Gate Freeway traffic will detour via Geelong and Millers Roads, while Altona-bound M80 Ring Road motorists must exit early at Boundary Road, with delays of up to 60 minutes in all directions.
For six weeks from Monday 11 January, crews will also reconstruct bridges and make room for extra lanes on the West Gate Freeway at Geelong Road and the M80 Ring Road intersection. During the works, both inbound and outbound ramps from the Princes Freeway to Geelong Road and the M80 inbound ramp to the West Gate Freeway will also be closed. Delays of 30 minutes are expected.
The Glenroy Road level crossing will be gone and the new Glenroy Station open in 2022 as part of a pipeline of infrastructure work in the northern suburbs – with four level crossings removed from the Upfield line last year and construction on four more to ramp up in Preston this year, making Bell Street level crossing-free by 2022.
For more information about the summer works program visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au. To plan your journey visit ptv.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Acting Premier Jacinta Allan
“We haven’t wasted a minute removing level crossings – with 44 already gone, this year we’ll remove a crossing on average every four weeks to improve travel, make our suburbs safer, and supporting thousands of local jobs.”
“We know more Victorians are holidaying closer to home this year – so we encourage people to plan ahead and allow extra time while we get on with delivering the big projects our state’s transport system needs.”
Quote attributable to Member for Pascoe Vale Lizzie Blandthorn
“It’s great to see so much progress here onsite at Glenroy. These boom gates are dangerous, they divide the community, they cause traffic congestion – and thankfully, they’ll be gone for good in 2022.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Sheena Watt
“This project will transform the heart of Glenroy, making it easier and safer to get around, and deliver a new station precinct for the community to enjoy – I can’t wait to see the end result.”