The dangerous and congested Camms Road level crossing in Cranbourne will soon be a thing of the past, with a contract now awarded, taking the busy Cranbourne line closer to being level crossing free by 2025.
The level crossing will be removed by elevating Camms Road over the rail line, improving safety and easing congestion for the 12,000 drivers passing through each day. The project will see one of the last two remaining level crossings on the Cranbourne line removed a year ahead of schedule in 2024, to reduce road congestion and allow more trains to run, more often.
More than 137 trains pass through the level crossing each day with more services to be added as early as next month, so removing this level crossing is critical to improving safety in one of Melbourne’s fastest growing areas.
An alliance comprising Fulton Hogan Construction, Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) and the Level Crossing Removal Project will deliver the $92 million works that will reduce road congestion and allow trains to run every ten minutes during morning peak.
Early works will soon kick off at Camms Road including setting up the site, building work sheds and fencing off the work area to keep the community and workers safe. Throughout 2022, locals can expect to see crews working on relocating utility services and completing earthworks to prepare the area for the new bridge.
Last year, concept designs of the Camms Road level crossing removal were released for community feedback, with more than 540 pieces of feedback received. Improvements to safety, walking and cycling connections, landscaping and architectural elements were among the key themes.
Based on this feedback, a new, safe connection will be built for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the rail line, with the road bridge to feature wide, well-lit paths and the opportunity to enhance the local area through design elements and landscaping.
The road bridge design will ensure surrounding streets and paths are better connected, including Fairfield Street, which provides access for eight bus services to Cranbourne Station each day. The solution also future proofs the area for possible transport upgrades on the Cranbourne line, as well as a possible future rail extension to Clyde.
The Camms Road level crossing follows recent benefits for passengers as part of the Cranbourne Line Upgrade, including track duplication between Cranbourne and Dandenong which allowed 50 extra services to run on the line each week, a new Merinda Park Station and the removal of the level crossing at Greens Road, Dandenong South.
This work, together with the Metro Tunnel, will create room for 121,000 more passengers every week on the Cranbourne line and save passengers travelling from Cranbourne or Pakenham up to 30 minutes off a return journer to Parkville, or up to 50 minutes off a return journey to St Kilda Road.
As part of the Level Crossing Removal Project, 85 level crossings will be gone for good by 2025, with 58 already removed.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan
“The Camms Road level crossing has frustrated locals for decades. This contract award is a huge step in making sure we’re well on our way to getting rid of it for good.”
“Camms Road is one of the last level crossings to be removed on the Cranbourne line, making it level crossing free by 2025 and changing the way people live, work and travel in the area.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Cranbourne Pauline Richards
“The level crossing at Camms Road is in a busy, growing area and removing it will deliver huge benefits to the community, including better safety and eased congestion.”
“I know the community is looking forward to having this level crossing consigned to history, and are already enjoying the other benefits of the Cranbourne Line Upgrade, including more services, a new station and soon, a level crossing-free line.”
Reviewed 27 February 2022