The Andrews Labor Government is another step closer to removing two more dangerous and congested level crossings in Melbourne’s southeast by 2025 – easing congestion and improving safety for years to come.
A contract has been awarded to an alliance comprising of McConnell Dowell, Arup, Mott MacDonald and Metro Trains Melbourne in partnership with the Level Crossing Removal Project to remove the level crossing at Webb Street, Narre Warren.
The project will include a new Narre Warren Station and an 800-metre-long elevated rail bridge. The new Narre Warren Station will feature a spacious, air-conditioned waiting room, improved safety, easy access via stairs and lifts, secure bicycle parking and a designated pick-up/drop-off zone.
The station precinct will also include wider bus bays in Webb Street and a shared-user path connecting the precinct to Narre Warren shopping village.
Early works have begun, with crews setting up a site office within the station car park, ahead of major construction starting later this year.
Webb Street is one of the most dangerous level crossings on the Pakenham line with more than 19 near miss incidents since 2012. Around 13,200 vehicles pass through the crossing each day, and the boom gates can be down for 40 minutes of the morning peak, when up to 25 trains pass through the crossing.
Removing the level crossing will improve connections in the area, slashing travel times and making it easier to move around the Fountain Gate shopping centre precinct.
A contract has also been awarded to remove another Pakenham line level crossing at Brunt Road, Beaconsfield, with a new road bridge to improve traffic flow and increase safety. An alliance comprising Fulton Hogan Construction, Metro Trains Melbourne and the Level Crossing Removal Project will deliver the works.
The Labor Government has fast tracked these works to remove all 22 level crossings on the Pakenham line, with 13 already gone for good – making the line boom gate free by 2025. With no level crossings on the train line, journeys will be faster and local roads safer, changing the way people live, work and travel.
The upgrade of Melbourne’s busiest train line also includes new high-capacity trains and the Metro Tunnel Project, which will create room for 120,000 more passengers on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines each week.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“We haven’t wasted a minute removing dangerous and congested level crossings on the Pakenham Line with 13 already gone for good and another nine on track to be gone for good by 2025.”
“We’re boosting safety and easing congestion for locals and visitors, while creating jobs and supporting local businesses along the way.”
Quote attributable to Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas
“It’s fantastic to see work starting on the Webb Street level crossing removal, which will make journeys faster and safer for more than 13,000 vehicles that pass through every weekday.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region Harriet Shing
"Our work continues across the network to remove dozens of dangerous and congested level crossings, and the Brunt Road works will make a huge difference to the safety of road users and reduce the time spent waiting at boom gates."
Reviewed 07 October 2022