Roads & Infrastructure Magazine provides an update on the Level Crossing Removal Project in Victoria, which represents one of the largest packages of construction works ever seen in the state.
In May 2015 the Victorian Government announced it would establish The Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) to oversee one of the largest rail infrastructure projects in the state’s history.
Central to the project is the removal of 110 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne by 2030. In addition to these works, other projects include rail network upgrades such as new train stations, track duplication and train stabling yards.
The LXRP is part of the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority, which delivers major rail and road projects across the state, forming Victoria’s Big Build.
So far 84 level crossings have been removed and the Lilydale Line is the first rail line in Melbourne to be level crossing free. The Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury line will join next year, while the Frankston Line will be boom gate-free in 2029 and the Werribee Line in 2030.
Improving safety for road users and pedestrians in Melbourne is one of the reasons for the LXRP, which will be achieved by removing the danger of trains sharing a level crossing with vehicles and pedestrians.
The LXRP will also make travel easier for commuters, motorists and those who utilise active transport by eliminating delays caused by boom gate down time. This will help to reduce the build of traffic, therefore also reducing travel times and uncertainty around the state’s metropolitan road network.
Community boost
The construction industry has flourished over the past nine years, with thousands of jobs created to complete the works.
Works have not only included removing level crossings, but also building new stations and creating new public spaces.
The train lines at Sunbury, Werribee, Frankston, Cranbourne, Pakenham and Lilydale each boast a unique design at the site, adding value to the community and commuters.
Removing dangerous crossings has allowed new open space and new shared walking and cycling paths to be created, while previously bland spaces have now been replaced with commissioned local artwork, displaying talent across metropolitan Melbourne.
Work is nearly completed on the Pakenham Line as level crossings at Main Street, McGregor Road and Racecourse Road have now all been removed and replaced by a 2.5-kilometre section of elevated rail.
New stations at Pakenham and East Pakenham have been open since July 2024, with works underway under the rail line to create community spaces, the equivalent of six Melbourne Cricket Grounds in size.
Emma Vulin, Member for Pakenham, says the works will modernise the town.
“Removing these three level crossings will make Pakenham a better place to be by improving safety, creating better access in and out of the town centre and more open space for everyone to enjoy,” she says.
The new open space will feature a barbecue area, a half basketball court, playgrounds, bicycle hoops, a bicycle repair station, parklands, seating and garden beds, ready for use in spring 2024.
The new station in Pakenham includes 300 car parks as well as bike facilities, bus bays and dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones close to the station.
Despite all projects having fixed technical requirements in relation to design solutions, the LXRP has actively collaborated with the community on negotiable elements including open spaces, landscaping, station precincts and public art.
One great example has been students at St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar creating six unique artworks in term one of 2022 for display at Berwick Station as part of the Clyde Road level crossing removal project. Students from Year six and nine collaborated on the pieces, taking inspiration from a range of sources such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night, through to the school colours and emblems.
Sunbury local and Yorta Yorta, Gunaikurnai and Gunditjmara artist Teena Moffatt also shared her talents to the level crossing project in Sunbury, creating the artwork for the Gap Road rail bridge.
The Gap Road level crossing located in the heart of Sunbury was removed, with a road under rail design built in its place.
The artwork’s custom-designed perforated panels were installed on both sides of the rail bridge.
Moffatt’s artwork references the volcanic plains of the western district, the ancient presence of Mount Holden hovering over Sunbury, Jackson’s Creek winding through local valleys and the unique features of the Organ Pipes and Rosette Rock.
“My art connects my past, present and future,” says Moffatt.
“I do my work in honour of my grandmothers and grandfathers, my family and my bloodlines; to ensure my children feel a strong connection to their people and our traditional ways.”
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State first
The removal of level crossings at Dublin Road, Ringwood East and Coolstore Road, Croydon made the Lilydale Line Melbourne’s first rail line to be boom gate free.
Two more dangerous level crossings were also removed at Union Road, Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Road, replaced with a brand-new Union Station which opened in May 2023.
In its works, the LXRP strives to deliver sustainable infrastructure that supports safe and healthy Victorian communities into the future.
To achieve this goal, the LXRP focuses on using materials efficiently and implementing sustainable alternatives where possible, while designing green space with people and wildlife in mind.
It also aims to create energy efficient infrastructure and minimise the energy used in construction. While also assessing climate change risks to reduce the environmental impact through smart design.
One sustainability highlight has been the works at Union Station, which since its opening has received two honours for its sustainability.
In April 2024, it received the highest sustainability rating, a Six-Star Green Star certification by the Green Building Council of Australia, joining the ranks of “world leadership” in building design and construction, scoring highly in the areas of emissions, transport, building materials and innovation.
Two months later in June, the station was awarded the highest ever sustainability rating for a Victorian rail project. The Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) awarded the precinct an “As Built” score of 101 points, judged across a range of sustainability measures, including environmental management and the use of technological advances to set new engineering benchmarks.
Level Crossing Removal Project Program Director Steve Brown says the certification recognised the project team’s commitment to providing the community with a state-of-the-art transport facility.
“Being recognised as a world leader in sustainability is a huge achievement and a reflection of the project team’s innovation and dedication to deliver improved transport infrastructure with lasting environmental benefits,” he says.
Crossing Cranbourne
Works on the Cranbourne Line Upgrade have been completed, with eight kilometres of duplicated track between Cranbourne and Dandenong, and a new Merinda Park Station in Lyndhurst open to passengers.
The track duplication has allowed more services to be introduced on the Cranbourne Line, including a 10-minute average frequency in the morning peak.
Level crossings have been removed at Evans Road, Lyndhurst, Greens Road, Dandenong South and Camms Road, Cranbourne, with Webster Street, Dandenong to be removed by 2025.
Throughout the works, the LXRP has provided a range of employment opportunities across many business areas.
This is offered through a range of employment programs that aim to provide people who are starting in their careers with an opportunity to gain experience through ‘hands on’ work.
One Civil Engineer, Samrawit, was hoping to get a start in Victoria’s booming construction industry after migrating from Ethiopia with her husband on skilled migrant visas in 2023.
Samrawit’s first opportunity to break into the industry came through the Victorian Government’s GROW program which led her to secure an internship with the LXRP and work on a range of projects.
The Government’s GROW program is designed to introduce people from marginalised and disadvantaged backgrounds to employment and training opportunities and pathways, delivered by the Training for the Future initiative, as part of the LXRP.
On the Frankston Line, all level crossings on the line are set to go by 2029, changing the way people live, work and travel.
As part of these level crossing removals, new stations will be built at Highett, Mordialloc, Aspendale and Seaford.
Through these works the LXRP is working to reconnect communities and create public spaces that will leave a long-lasting legacy for Melbourne. This is done through work in urban design.
Urban design is the practice of making these precincts work for the community, including elements like architecture, green space and pathways.
Two level crossings in Seaford Road and Carrum were recognised at the 2024 VIC Landscape Architecture Awards for shaping resilient, culturally conscious, climate positive and inspiring places.
Both projects celebrate local Indigenous culture with the inclusion of design elements that reflect Traditional Owners’ connection to country.
Member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson says the progress made has been exciting.
“With the removal of these dangerous and congested level crossings we’re seeing improved safety, reducing congestion and the creation of better connections for our community,” he says. “We’ve seen so much investment on the Frankston Line, but there is more work to be done.”
Moving out west, works on the Werribee Line continue with the removal of four level crossings completed and a further three on the way, making the line boom gate free by 2030.
A new rail bridge has been built over Werribee Street, allowing for both freight and passenger trains, while future works will include a new Spotswood Station and a new road bridge at Maidstone Street, Altona. Throughout LXRP’s journey, an approach towards innovation has been constantly evolving.
With this in mind, the LXRP salvaged materials from many project sites and repurposed them to become part of the $88 million redevelopment of Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Rail track, including 1.5 kilometres replaced as part of the Werribee Street Level Crossing Removal Project, and elevator cable will be used to construct the perimeter fencing for several animal facilities.
Other material donated includes salvaged timber, 20 gum tree stumps from Old Geelong Road, Cherry Street and Werribee Street projects, as well as two kilometres of rail track from the Coburg and Preston projects.
Member for Williamstown, Melissa Horne, says the removal of the level crossings along the Werribee Line is a fantastic investment for the west.
“I look forward to seeing these dangerous and congested level crossings gone for good from our community,” she says.
Works across projects continues, with 26 level crossings still on the horizon for removal by 2030.
This article was originally published in the November edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.