The Victorian Government is investing in regional and metro transport projects across the state, with new funding announced for safety upgrades and new updates for a brand-new station.
The Federal and State government will jointly fund $54 million in safety improvement works, across 32 regional railway crossings in Victoria.
The safety upgrades will include treatments such as installing boom gates, axle counters, flashing lights and signage.
The “high priority” works will be funded under round two of the Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund (RLCUF), which is jointly funded by both levels of government.
The RLCUF aims to improve railway crossing safety in regional areas and reduce serious and fatal accidents that have a devastating impact on communities.
In the Ararat and Pyrenees council areas, eight level crossings will share in $14 million of funding, including the level crossing at Challicum Road, near Dip Road in Buangor.
South of Coach Road and near the Buangor Railway Station, the crossing currently relies on flashing lights and signage as the only safety measures. The $1.8 million upgrade will deliver boom gates and axle counters providing a safer crossing.
In the Ararat Rural City Council area, upgrades are also being delivered to level crossings at Gravel Route Road in Buangor, Greenhill Lake Road in Ararat, Military Bypass Road in Armstrong, Porters Bridge Road in Tatyoon, and Warrayatkin Road in Dobie.
Next door in the Pyrenees Shire both the Finnegan Road and Old Shirley Road, level crossings will also receive upgrades to deliver boom gates and axle counters.
Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Transport said the government is getting to work on delivering safety upgrades across Victoria’s regional rail network.
“There’s nothing more important than getting home safe – that’s why we are making the necessary investments across the state,” said Williams.
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In Melbourne’s west, ‘West Tarneit’ has been unveiled as the confirmed name for Melbourne’s newest railway station.
The name was chosen out of five proposed name options, following extensive community feedback which suggested locals preferred a place-based and easily identifiable name.
Since the announcement, crews have wrapped up early site investigations of the new station, ahead of construction kicking off later this year, in time for the opening in 2026.
The new station will include an accessible pedestrian underpass, 400 car parks and a four-bay bus interchange.
The surrounding precinct will feature a landscaped area equipped with seating, separated walking and cycling pathways, secure bike storage and bike hoops.
The new station aims to ease pressure on the nearby Tarneit Station, which services almost two million passengers a year.
Dylan Wight Member for Tarneit, said West Tarneit Station will provide modern facilities to make it easier for the growing community to catch public transport.”
“The project also includes cycling and pedestrian paths that will be future proofed to provide access to new commercial and residential developments in the area,” he said.
For more information, https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/
