- Published:
- Tuesday 8 March 2022
The dangerous and congested level crossing at Mt Derrimut Road, Deer Park is a step closer to being gone for good, with early works underway, a contract signed, and final designs unveiled for the project set to transform travel for the community, a year ahead of schedule.
The contract to remove the Mt Derrimut Road level crossing has been awarded to an alliance comprising McConnell Dowell, Arup, Mott MacDonald, Metro Trains Melbourne, V/Line and the Level Crossing Removal Project, who will deliver the $234 million project.
Crews have already kicked off early works, including ground testing and assessments, with further activity – such as site establishment and works in the rail corridor – increasing throughout March. This is a major step in the project, which will improve safety and ease congestion at Mt Derrimut Road, where there have been 15 boom gate collisions and 15 near misses recorded since 2017.
Final designs for the new elevated rail bridge over Mt Derrimut Road and a new Deer Park Station have also been released, featuring a new 1.2-kilometre elevated rail bridge to replace the level crossing, as well as a new transport hub giving commuters access to buses, trains and car parking, with safer connections for pedestrians and cyclists all within one precinct.
The transport hub will feature a brand new train station including a multi-bay bus interchange, two spacious landscaped forecourts, rooftop gardens, a secure Parkiteer bike cage and bike hoops, as well as 150 new and upgraded car parking spaces.
The new Deer Park Station will include pick-up and drop-off zones on both sides of the rail line, two accessible, elevated platforms with lifts, ramps and stairs, a new air-conditioned waiting room, as well as pathways, lighting and security cameras throughout the precinct.
A new pedestrian connection will link suburbs on both sides of the rail line, providing access to new residential areas in Derrimut, as well as schools, parks and healthcare services.
With bike storage increased from eight to 78 spaces, better connections between different modes of transport, and increased commuter car parking, the hub will improve connectivity and maximise transport links for passengers.
Removing this level crossing will ease delays for the 23,000 vehicles that pass through each day. The boom gates at Mt Derrimut Road can be down for up to 60 per cent of the morning peak, causing significant traffic delays while multiple trains pass on the Geelong and Ballarat lines.
Construction is also progressing well on the nearby Fitzgerald Road and Robinsons Road level crossing removals. All three level crossings will be gone by 2024, making the Geelong and Ballarat lines level crossing free between Deer Park and the city.
To view the designs for the Mt Derrimut Road level crossing removal, new station and transport hub www.engage.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“This dangerous level crossing has impacted people, trains and traffic due to collisions and near misses, and we’re thrilled it’s now on the way to being gone for good.”
“We’ll also deliver a brand new station – and continue to remove the level crossings at Robinsons Road in Deer Park, and Fitzgerald Road in Ardeer level crossings, which will make these suburbs level crossing free, slashing travel times.”