- Published:
- Monday 7 September 2015
The contract for the removal of four more dangerous and congested level crossings has been finalised, with works for two of those crossings set to begin within weeks.
Premier Daniel Andrews joined Treasurer Tim Pallas at Blackburn Station today to confirm that an alliance including Leighton Contractors, Aurecon and Hyder Consulting had been formally awarded the contract for level crossing removals at Blackburn Road in Blackburn, Heatherdale Road in Mitcham, and Furlong and Main roads in St Albans.
These dangerous and congested level crossings are crippling our road network and putting lives at risk. Boom gates at these four crossings are down for nearly an hour on average each morning, holding ambulances and other emergency service vehicles hostage when minutes matter.
Removing these congestion hot-spots will reduce road congestion for the 60,000 vehicles that use the four level crossings each day, and allow us to run more services on the Belgrave and Sunbury lines.
Works at Main Road and Furlong Road are expected to begin by October and will be completed in 2017. The removal of Blackburn Road and Heatherdale Road level crossings will start later this year and will take 12-18 months to complete.
The package of works is a total investment of $481.2 million. The Blackburn Road, Heatherdale Road and Furlong Road projects have been fully funded by the Andrews Labor Government. The removal of the Main Road level crossing is jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments with savings from the Regional Rail Link project.
The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with its commitment to lease the Port of Melbourne to support removing our 50 worst level crossings and to get Victorians home safer and sooner.
The lease proceeds, to be paid up front, will go into the Victorian Transport Fund (VTF). The VTF will support the removal of our 50 worst level crossings and the building of Melbourne Metro, the West Gate Distributor and other important transport initiatives.
Quotes attributable to Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews
“The Andrews Labor Government is removing our worst level crossings to reduce road congestion, run more trains and get people home safer and sooner.”
“These level crossings have already claimed lives, and continue to put lives at risk – they have to go and we’re getting on with it, finalising the contract so works can begin.”
Quotes attributable Treasurer Tim Pallas
“Before the election, we promised that a Labor Government would lease the Port of Melbourne, and use the proceeds to remove our 50 worst level crossings. We are keeping our promises.”
“Leasing the port means we can create thousands of jobs, get Victorians home safer and sooner and still protect our AAA credit rating.”