The Andrews Labor Government is fast tracking work on the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade, with a massive nine-day construction blitz beginning tonight.
Premier Daniel Andrews joined local community representatives and construction workers at the Grange Road level crossing in Alphington today, where a 37 tonne beam will be craned into place over the weekend.
The large concrete support beam will form part of the new Grange Road bridge once the rail trench is dug underneath it in early 2018.
Drivers and public transport passengers are being asked to plan ahead, with Grange Road closed at the level crossing from 9pm tonight until Monday 9 October and buses replacing trains on the Hurstbridge line between Clifton Hill and Greensborough for the next nine days.
During the massive construction blitz, over 400 workers will continue duplicating the single section of track in Heidelberg and demolish Rosanna Station to make way for a brand new station that will reopen in March 2018.
While Rosanna Station is closed, trains will not stop at Rosanna and shuttle buses will connect passengers to Macleod and Heidelberg stations.
The works are part of the $395 million Hurstbridge Line Upgrade that is removing the dangerous and congested level crossings at Grange Road in Alphington and Lower Plenty Road in Rosanna, building a brand new Rosanna Station, and duplicating the single section of track between Heidelberg.
The dangerous Grange Road level crossing will be removed by lowering the Hurstbridge line under Grange Road, while a rail bridge will be built over busy Lower Plenty Road, safely separating trains and cars for the first time.
In just two years, the Labor Government has removed ten level crossings, rebuilt eight stations, and has a further 16 level crossing removals underway.
Work on the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade will be completed by 2019.
For project details, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au or call the project team on 1800 762 667. For travel information, visit ptv.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“The boom gates at Grange Road are down for up to 43 minutes in the morning peak – they’re frustrating, they’re dangerous, and that’s why we’re getting on with removing them.”
“The late Fiona Richardson strongly advocated for the notorious Grange Road level crossing to go, and we’re not wasting a minute delivering on her vision for a safer community.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020