An eight-day construction blitz to remove three dangerous and congested level crossings in Melbourne’s south-east is underway.
Acting Premier James Merlino and Acting Public Transport Minister Luke Donnellan visited McKinnon Road today to inspect progress on the removal of the level crossing and the rebuilding of nearby McKinnon Station.
Work is also underway at North and Centre Road level crossings, which are being removed as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s project to get rid of 50 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne.
These crossings are nestled in the heart of busy shopping strips, and are some of Victoria’s most dangerous. In just over a decade, there have been three deaths and dozens of near-misses at these level crossings.
They are also horribly congested. Each weekday the boom gates are down between 30 minutes to 48 minutes during the two-hour morning peak, disrupting more than 60,000 cars and trucks, and three public bus routes.
During the eight-day construction blitz, new signalling will be installed at McKinnon Road, and the road surface will be reinforced. Centre Road will also be reinforced over the coming week.
Seventeen 40-ton beams will be laid across North Road to form a bridge, which will allow the construction team to dig out the train line underneath.
Platforms works will be underway at Ormond Station, which is being completely rebuilt as part of the North Road level crossing removal.
To enable these major works to be carried out quickly and safely, buses will replace trains on a section of the Frankston line until 31 January. Train departure times will also vary slightly to connect with bus replacements.
To plan your journey visit ptv.vic.gov.au. For more information about the Labor Government’s plan to improve safety, reduce congestion, run more trains and create local jobs, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Acting Premier, James Merlino
“This eight-day construction blitz will lay the ground work for construction of the train tracks underneath North, Centre and McKinnon Roads, safely separating trains from cars, trucks and pedestrians.”
“After years of excuses from the former Liberal Government, we’re getting rid of these crossings once and for all.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bentleigh, Nick Staikos
“These dangerous crossings are nestled in the heart of busy community shops, putting local lives at risk every single day. That’s why we’re not wasting a moment removing them.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Oakleigh, Steve Dimopoulos
“I thank locals for their patience while these works are undertaken. They will cause disruption, but it’s nothing compared to the disruption, frustration and delay these horrible crossings cause every day in our community.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020