The Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) has selected its preferred consortium to design and construct the Level Crossing Removal Project: Caulfield to Dandenong.
The chosen consortium includes the Alliance of Aurecon, CPB Contractors, Lendlease, WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, LXRA and Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM).
The project will remove nine level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs and see five railway stations rebuilt at Carnegie, Murrumbeena, Hughesdale, Clayton and Noble Park. It will provide signalling and power system upgrades between Flinders Street Station and Pakenham Station to enhance rail network capacity and reliability.
David Ness, Aurecon’s Market Director – Infrastructure, ANZ, said in a statement that Aurecon is proud to be involved in a project that would provide so many benefits to the communities and residents of Melbourne.
“The upgrades will not only improve community and commuter safety around the crossings themselves but will enhance the liveability of our communities and reduce travel times for road and rail users. These objectives are our, and our Alliance partners’, number one consideration in the design of this project,” he said.
“Our (the Alliance’s) design also significantly improves community connectivity and we will be returning unused space to the community as green spaces and parkland.
“It will also improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on surrounding roads.”
In another statement, CPB Contractors Managing Director Román Garrido also expressed his pleasure at the Alliance being selected as the preferred consortium and outlined the skills it will bring to the project.
“Our Alliance team integrates design, civil, building, track, electrical and signalling specialists experienced in delivering major projects safely within the live rail network,” he said.
“Rail infrastructure delivery is a core capability for CPB Contractors. We are pleased to continue working with LXRA and Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) to deliver greater rail network efficiency and a range of community and economic benefits,” he said.
Construction is scheduled to commence in June 2016 and will be complete by mid-2018.
The project is part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to remove the state’s 50 most dangerous level crossings by 2022.