- Published:
- Wednesday 7 June 2023
The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with removing level crossings across Melbourne, with works along the Melton, Sunbury and Frankston lines fast-tracked to ease congestion and cut travel times sooner.
The Labor Government has already removed 70 level crossings – and with the program more than a year ahead of schedule, the next crossing removals can be brought forward so communities can see the benefits of better flowing traffic, safer road and rail transport, new train stations and more community open space even sooner.
In Melbourne’s outer west, removing four dangerous and congested level crossings by 2026 will pave the way for more train services with 50 per cent more capacity along the Melton line – catering to the second-fastest growing community in Australia.
Removing boom gates at gates Coburns Road, Exford Road and Ferris Road in Melton, and at Hopkins Road in Truganina, will unclog the roads for more than 73,000 vehicles each day – with the boom gates down and causing traffic frustration for up to 28 minutes in the morning peak as 16 trains pass along the corridor.
By 2026 – two years ahead of schedule – Melton will be boom gate-free, with a new, modern Melton Station to suit a growing population and allow nine-car VLocity trains to run along the corridor by 2028, when the Melton Line Upgrade is complete.
The level crossing removals will ease road congestion and improve access for trucks travelling around this industrial area.
On the Sunbury line, crossings at the Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road in Diggers Rest are also being fast-tracked, with road bridges to be built at both locations by 2025 - a year earlier than planned.
Communities in the south-east will also see their level crossings gone ahead of schedule – with Aspendale’s Station Street, and Bear Street and McDonald Street in Mordialloc to go by 2026, three years faster than expected.
The McDonald Street and Station Street crossings will be removed with elevated rail, allowing the Bear Street level crossing to be closed to traffic – reducing the length of boom gate downtime when the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025, with more services running along the Frankston Line.
The Labor Government is removing 110 level crossings across Melbourne by 2030 – making the Frankston, Cranbourne, Pakenham, Lilydale, Sunbury and Werribee lines level crossing free.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“We haven’t wasted a moment getting rid of 70 dangerous and congested level crossings, and we’re not slowing down – with more crossings across Melbourne fast-tracked and delivering community benefits years ahead of schedule.”
“We’re focused on getting Victorians where they need to be, by car and by train, even faster than we promised.”