VIC level crossing removals: four more set to go

The Victorian Government at the weekend announced that it will fast-track the removal of four more dangerous and congested level crossings in the state.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allen announced in a statement that the level crossings at Melton Highway in Sydenham, Abbotts Road in Dandenong South, Thompsons Road in Lyndhurst, and Kororoit Creek in Williamstown North will be removed.

Removing the Melton Highway crossing is set to slash congestion and pave the way for the expansion of the Watergardens Town Centre.

In 2012, Abbotts Road level crossing was the site of a collision that derailed a train and resulted in one death.

Removing the Thompsons Road level crossing will eliminate a major congestion hot spot on this critical transport corridor in Melbourne’s south east. It will be delivered as part of the duplication of Thompsons Road.

More than 40 buses, 100 trains and 20,000 cars, trucks and bikes use Kororoit Creek Road level crossing every day. Removing it will improve traffic flow and safety, and create capacity to run more trains.

In all, 23 level crossings removals are underway, with all 23 set to be gone by 2019. At least 20 of these will be gone in the next three years. “These level crossings are dangerous, congested and suffocate our train system. They are relics of the past and they need to go,” said Premier Andrews in the statement. “We’ve already awarded more than a billion dollars in contracts for level crossing removals. After years of inaction, we’re getting on with it.”

Work to remove eight level crossings on the Frankston line will begin in 2018, meaning more than 30 of the 50 level crossings the Victorian Government committed to remove will be finished or underway by the next election.

Community engagement at each site will begin in the coming weeks.