- Published:
- Thursday 7 January 2021
Major construction will start this year to remove the dangerous and congested level crossings at Fitzgerald Road in Ardeer and Robinsons Road in Deer Park, with the fast-tracked project be complete in 2023.
The Andrews Labor Government has awarded a $234 million contract for the project that will ease congestion, connect communities in the west and create 400 local full-time jobs at peak construction.
Building a road underpass at Robinsons Road and a road overpass at the Fitzgerald Road level crossing will also address an alarming safety record at these crossings where there have been 18 near misses since 2012.
The boom gates can be down for up to 45 per cent of the morning peak in Deer Park and Ardeer, delaying around 53,000 passengers and freight vehicles each day. The designs to remove the level crossings will minimise disruption to rail commuters, residents and local businesses during construction and allow future road and rail upgrades.
The level crossing removals complement other road improvements in the area as part of the Labor Government’s Western Roads Upgrade, including upgrading intersections and building extra lanes on Palmers Road – part of an important north-south corridor that includes Robinsons Road.
Major improvements have also been made to Dohertys Road, with new lanes and multiple intersection upgrades between Laverton North and Truganina completed in September.
Removing these level crossings also paves the way for the nearby Mount Derrimut Road level crossing to be removed by 2025, removing the last of the level crossings between Deer Park and the City.
With the contract now awarded, early work will start this month, ahead of major construction kicking off later in the year. The contract has been granted to an alliance of Fulton Hogan, Metro Trains Melbourne and the Level Crossing Removal Project.
With 44 level crossings already removed, the Government is ahead of schedule on its commitment to remove 50 crossings by 2022 and 75 by 2025.
For more information about Victoria’s huge infrastructure agenda, visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au.
Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“As Melbourne’s outer suburbs continue to grow, we’re improve safety and make journeys more reliable for public transport passengers and motorists in our booming west.”
Quote attributable to Member for Kororoit Marlene Kairouz
“With the boom gates down for up to 45 per cent of the morning peak, removing these dangerous and congested level crossings will get people home sooner and safer and support the economy.”
Quote attributable to Member for Western Metropolitan Region Ingrid Stitt
“We’re getting on with the job to free up bottlenecks, boost safety, and improve critical freight routes for industry – with major construction to start this year.”