The Victorian Government has awarded the contract for the removal of four more of the region’s most dangerous and congested level crossings this week.
An alliance including Leighton Contractors, Aurecon and Hyder Consulting has been contracted to undertake the work at Blackburn Road in Blackburn, Heatherdale Road in Mitcham, and Furlong and Main roads in St Albans.
The works at Main Road and Furlong Road are expected to begin by October and completed by 2017. The level crossing removals on Blackburn Road and Heatherdale Road will start later this year and are anticipated to take 12 to 18 months to complete.
“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,” said Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews in a statement.
“The Andrews Labor Government is removing our worst level crossings to reduce road congestion, run more trains and get people home safer and sooner.”
The package of works is a total investment of $481.2 million.
The removal of the level crossings is part of the Victoria Government’s commitment to remove fifty of the most dangerous and congested level crossings in the region.