The Andrews Labor Government is upgrading two pedestrian level crossings on Dendy Street in Brighton, making it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross the railway tracks, especially local school students.
The $2.8 million upgrade at both Burrows Street and New Street will see active warning systems installed, with alarms and automatic pedestrian gates to alert people to oncoming trains.
It follows a number of pedestrian level crossing upgrades delivered in the region over the past few years, including at Union Street in Windsor, and both Hampton Street and Grenville Street in Hampton.
The Labor Government has been working closely with members of the St Joan of Arc Primary School community to discuss what improvements can be made at the Dendy Street crossings to improve safety for students.
Interim safety measures are currently in place, including temporary signage on the gates and improved wayfinding on the path for pedestrians, including ‘Wait Here’ line marking.
Metro Trains has also worked directly with the school community on rail safety issues, including a series of school rail safety awareness sessions undertaken last year. It is part of an annual program of classroom visits undertaken by Metro to teach children how to be safe around trains.
Rail crossing upgrades are assessed and prioritised by the Department of Transport and Victorian Railway Crossing Safety Steering Committee based on incident history, risk, and emerging pressures such as local development or population growth.
Works at the crossings will be completed by late 2022.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll
“We are getting on with delivering this upgrade which will increase pedestrian safety and awareness when approaching the railway tracks.”
“Rail safety infrastructure is vital to ensuring vehicles, pedestrians and public transport modes can continue to share our network safely.”
Quote attributable to Member for Southern Metropolitan Region Nina Taylor
“The safety of our community is our number one priority - we have listened to and heard their concerns about pedestrian safety around this rail crossing, especially with local primary schools nearby.”
Reviewed 30 August 2022