The Allan Labor Government has now removed 74 dangerous and congested level crossings – with Narre Warren’s Webb Street boom gate gone for good.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson announced trains had been running on a new one-kilometre rail bridge from yesterday.
Situated in the heart of Narre Warren’s shopping district, the old boom gates at Webb Street were down for 33 per cent of the morning peak – causing traffic chaos for 13,200 vehicles every day and resulting in 19 near misses since 2012.
While the new Narre Warren Station continues to be built, trains will run express through the station until late March 2024. Shuttle buses will also help move passengers between Narre Warren, Hallam and Berwick stations.
Once open, the modern station will feature two accessible elevated platforms, an air conditioned waiting room, secure bike storage, a new kiosk and landscaped forecourt with seating, as well as improved pedestrian connections to Narre Warren village.
It will also have bigger bus bays and a signalised pedestrian crossing on Webb Street, a new drop-off and taxi zone, upgrades to existing car parks, CCTV and improved lighting.
The Webb Street level crossing is the 14th to be removed on the Pakenham Line, and all of the dangerous level crossings on the line will be gone by 2025.
When every Pakenham Line level crossing is removed it will transform the way people live, work and travel in Melbourne’s booming south-eastern suburbs – providing more reliable journeys for drivers and improve safety by permanently separating vehicles and trains.
Work is also ramping up on nearby level crossing removals in Pakenham, where a two-kilometre rail bridge and two new stations are being built and opening to passengers in 2024.
These projects, together with the Metro Tunnel when it opens in 2025, will provide capacity for 121,000 passengers every week on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines during peak periods. It will also give people access to five new underground stations in Melbourne’s CBD and surrounds.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson
“With the Webb Street boom gates gone for good, the Pakenham Line is one step closer to being level crossing free, transforming the way people live, work and travel in Melbourne’s south-east.”
“We’re thrilled to mark this huge milestone in Melbourne’s south-east, with the removal of the level crossing at Webb Street, Narre Warren easing congestion for local drivers.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Narre Warren North Belinda Wilson
“With 19 near misses in 12 years locals will be relieved to know the Webb Street level crossing is gone for good, with a brand new Narre Warren Station to follow next year.”
Reviewed 12 December 2023