The contract to remove the dangerous and congested level crossing on Lower Plenty Road, rebuild Rosanna Station and duplicate the Hurstbridge line has been signed – with work to start in the coming months.
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan joined Member for Ivanhoe Anthony Carbines today to announce that an Alliance of Laing O’Rourke, Fulton Hogan and Jacobs will deliver the multi-million dollar works that will enable more trains, more often all the way along the Hurstbridge line.
The Lower Plenty Road level crossing is one of Melbourne’s worst, with boom gates down for more than a third of the two-hour morning peak.
The Andrews Labor Government project will build a rail bridge over Lower Plenty Road, removing the crossing, reducing congestion and improving access to the shops and parklands.
The design is the product of extensive engineering, planning and community engagement to find the best way to separate trains from traffic given the incline of the road, nearby creek and surrounding parklands.
The rail bridge will protect train services from disruptions caused by flooding and save hundreds of local trees compared to the rail trench option, which would have been about double the length of the bridge.
Raising or lowering the road over the train line was previously ruled out due to the significant amount of property acquisition required and impact on the local shops, parkland and community.
The project will also build a brand new Rosanna Station next to the crossing and duplicate the notorious single section of track between Heidelberg and Rosanna, creating space for more frequent, reliable services, which will have flow-on benefits for the South Morang line.
The second track will be built to the east of the existing tracks, but will not require any property acquisition. The duplication will include a new tunnel under Darebin Street next to the existing brick tunnel.
These works are part of a $395 million package of works that also includes the removal of the Grange Road level crossing in Alphington.
For more information visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au or head to one of the drop-in sessions at the Rosanna Cub Scout Hall – on Thursday, 23 February from 6pm to 8pm and Saturday 25 February from 10am to noon.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“Level crossings and sections of single track are relics of the past. They don’t belong on a modern train network and we’re removing them, to reduce road congestion and run more trains.”
“The contract is signed and work will start in the coming months – after years of excuses, we’re getting it done.”
Quote attributable to Member for Ivanhoe Anthony Carbines
“This huge project will make Rosanna a better place to live – with more trains, less congestion and better access to the shops and parklands in our neighbourhood.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020