The Andrews Labor Government will remove its twentieth dangerous and congested level crossing as part of a massive construction blitz starting next month – delivering one of its biggest election commitments.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan visited Frankston today to inspect progress at the Skye/Overton level crossing, which will be gone for good in June.
Buses will replace trains between Frankston and Carrum, and on the Stony Point line, from 4 May to the last service on 27 May. From 28 May to the last service on 17 June, buses will replace trains between Frankston and Kananook on the Frankston line, and between Leawarra and Kananook on the Stony Point line.
When trains return, the new Frankston Station will be open to passengers and Skye/Overton Road will be level-crossing free – delivering on the Labor Government election commitment to remove 20 level crossings this term.
From 6 April to 4 June, Skye/Overton Road will be closed at the level crossing, with detours in place. Work on the Seaford Road level crossing removal will also be undertaken during the construction blitz to minimise disruptions for commuters.
To remove the level crossing, 24 u-shaped viaducts – each bigger than a blue whale and weighing 280 tonnes each – will be transported on a 72 metre-long truck from a Kilmore factory to the work site in Frankston. The finishing touches will then be made to the precast beams before specialist heavy-lifting machinery jacks them into place.
Due to the sheer size and weight of the beams, the truck will travel at a restricted speed outside of peak hours, with each 31-metre-long beam to be transported overnight between early April and mid-May.
The Level Crossing Removal Authority is working closely with VicRoads to coordinate this mammoth logistical task, with traffic management right along the truck’s carefully planned route, which includes the Hume Freeway, Epping-Kilmore Road, Metropolitan Ring Road, Greensborough Highway, Eastern Freeway and Eastlink.
To stay informed about major transport projects and disruptions, visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au. For updates about the beam transportation, visit vicroads.vic.gov.au and levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“By mid-year, this dangerous level crossing will be gone and passengers will be using the new Frankston Station.”
“We promised to remove 20 dangerous level crossings by the end of 2018 and we are delivering – to reduce congestion, boost safety and get Victorians home safer and sooner.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“It’s exciting to see the project team thinking outside the box with this unique bridge design, which will be part of delivering more trains more often for Frankston line passengers.”
Quote attributable to Member for Frankston Paul Edbrooke
“Our community is so excited for this new station and the removal of the level crossing it is something we’ve been looking forward to for over 40 years. These works will create a more accessible area to live, work and visit.”
Quote attributable to Member for Carrum Sonya Kilkenny
“Getting rid of Seaford, Carrum and Frankston level crossings will boost safety, deliver more community spaces and reduce travel times.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020