- Published:
- Sunday 24 June 2018
The Andrews Labor Government has now removed 25 dangerous and congested level crossings, with drivers in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs benefitting from a faster, smoother and safer journey over a new Thompsons Road overpass.
Premier Daniel Andrews today joined Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan at Thompsons Road to celebrate the opening of the first of two, three-lane bridges being built as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s $207 million upgrade.
For decades, the boom gates at Thompsons Road have caused delays for the 26,000 vehicles that travel on it each day. Now, drivers will be diverted onto the new northern road bridge on Thompsons Road, permanently separating road and rail and allowing for the removal of the old level crossing equipment below.
Nearly 145,000 hours of work, 1,700 cubic metres of concrete and tens of thousands of tonnes of quarry materials have helped build the 3,200-tonne bridge over the rail line and the 60,000-tonne supporting wall.
Once the new northern bridge opens today, work will begin on the southern bridge and new traffic lanes on the south side of Thompsons Road.
The Labor Government will duplicate sections of Thompsons Road to get more people where they need to go and upgrade 11 intersections, including new traffic lights to boost safety at the notorious Western Port Highway intersection.
Existing traffic light intersections will be upgraded at Wheelers Park Drive, William Thwaites Boulevard, Marriott Boulevard and Lyndhurst Boulevard.
As part of the Labor Government’s Suburban Roads Upgrade, the roundabouts at the intersections of Thompsons and Dandenong-Frankston Road and Thompsons and Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road will also be replaced with traffic lights.
Today’s announcement comes in a massive week of level crossing removals, with the final four Caulfield to Dandenong level crossings removed earlier this week and the Skye/Overton Road level crossing removed today.
There are now 25 dangerous and congested level crossings gone for good – smashing the election commitment to remove 20 in the Labor Government’s first term, and bringing us half-way to our promise to remove 50 in two terms. Fourteen new stations have opened and a further four level crossing removals are under construction.
The Thompsons Road Upgrade is expected to be completed in mid-2019.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We promised we would remove 50 dangerous and congested level crossings and we’re half-way there – with more of these death traps to go for good.”
“Drivers in Melbourne’s south east will never get stuck behind these boom gates ever again. We’ve separated road and rail at Thompsons Road – improving safety and cutting travel times.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“With more than 26,000 vehicles travelling on Thompsons Road every day – this project is boosting capacity, upgrading intersections and helping Victorians get where they need to go safer and sooner.”
Quote attributable to Member for Cranbourne Jude Perera
“Local drivers were sick and tired of waiting at this dangerous and congested level crossing – that’s why we wasted no time getting rid of it.”
Quote attributable to Member for Carrum Sonya Kilkenny
“We’re widening Thompsons Road and making intersections safer to provide further relief during the busy morning and afternoon peaks.”
Quote attributable to Member for Narre Warren South Judith Graley
“We’re getting on with improving traffic flow along Thompsons Road, supporting our growing region and adding yet another level crossing to the scrap heap.”