Boom gates at Bell Street, Oakover Road, Murray Road and Cramer Street in Preston have been removed this week as part of works to improve safety and decrease congestion in north Melbourne.
Trains have returned to the Mernda line after a two-week construction blitz. The works make Bell Street – one of the busiest roads in Melbourne – boom gate free, marking 64 level crossings removed since 2015.
Around 82,000 vehicles pass through these four level crossings each day, with the boom gates down for up to 40 per cent of the morning peak.
In September, the second elevated rail track will be finished and new, modern stations at Bell and Preston will open to passengers. The new stations will provide better facilities, including a comfortable waiting room at ground level, lift and stair access, undercover seating areas and improved lighting.
Next year, work on landscaping and planting under the elevated rail line at Preston will continue. Almost 60,000 square metres of new open space will be created by the project.
The open space will include landscaped areas with more than 700 trees and around 150,000 grasses, shrubs and groundcover plants, as well as two new playgrounds and a shared walking and cycling path to connect the new Preston and Bell stations.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the Victorian Government had removed 64 level crossings ahead of schedule.
“These projects don’t just make communities more accessible and safer – they support thousands of local jobs every single day,” he said.
Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll said the level crossings removals would provide safer and easier journeys for Melbourne motorists.
“With no boom gates to hold up journeys on Bell Street, commuting will be easier for so many Melburnians, whether you’re driving to the airport or your local school – it’s one of the busiest arterial roads in Melbourne,” he said.
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- Melbourne’s Hallam Road level crossing gone, new station taking shape