Premier

Eight More Dangerous Level Crossings To Go By 2027

18 September 2022

More dangerous and congested level crossings are set to go, with the Andrews Labor Government today announcing another eight will be removed on the Upfield Line as part of our Big Build – making local roads safer, improving traffic flow and clearing the way for more trains, more often.

The Labor Government promised to remove 50 dangerous and congested level crossings by 2022, and we smashed that goal, with 66 now gone for good. We’re on track to remove 85 by 2025 – but we aren’t stopping there.

In the past six years, the Government has removed 66 level crossings more than a year ahead of schedule – while also building 37 new and upgraded stations, delivering 50km of bike paths and unlocking around 20 MCGs of open space for local communities across Melbourne.

Level crossing removals have supported more than 8,000 jobs – and we’ve seen more than 72 million work hours completed.

By removing eight more level crossings on the Upfield Line – including the notorious boom gates on Brunswick Road – Victorians will spend less time stuck in traffic and more time with family and friends.

The Andrews Labor Government will remove:

  • Albert Street, Brunswick
  • Albion Street, Brunswick
  • Brunswick Road, Brunswick
  • Dawson Street, Brunswick
  • Hope Street, Brunswick
  • Union Street, Brunswick
  • Victoria Street, Brunswick
  • Park Street, Parkville

When the project is complete, there will be no level crossings between Parkville and Coburg on the Upfield Line.

Around 71,000 vehicles travel through the level crossings during the morning peak each weekday and the boom gates are down for up to 30 minutes.

An elevated rail bridge along the Upfield Line will complement the new rail bridge from Bell Street to Moreland Road. The project will make the Upfield Bike Path one of the most important bike paths in Melbourne, and a major transport connection from the north into the city.

As seen already by communities in Coburg and Brunswick, elevating the rail corridor will be a boon for the Upfield Bike Path, with a new dedicated bike and pedestrian path from Bell Street in the north, to Park Street in the south, providing a safer and quicker connection for locals.

Community consultation and further project design will occur early next year, with the level crossings to be removed by 2027. 20,000 people are employed across Victoria’s Big Build.

For more information, visit: levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“We’re not wasting a minute removing dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne, ahead of schedule, with 66 already gone for good – and we’re not slowing down any time soon.”

“We’re creating local jobs, with 20,000 people employed across our Big Build, increasing safety and reducing congestion – it’s good for the economy, and good for Victorians.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

“Every Victorian knows the dinging sound of boom gates coming down and the frustration that comes with it, that’s why we’re getting rid of them – saving lives, easing congestion and getting you home sooner.”

“We’re getting rid of eight more of these death traps on the Upfield Line – making local roads safer, improving traffic flow, and clearing the way for more trains, more often.”

Reviewed 19 September 2022

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