The Andrews Labor Government’s removal of the dangerous and congested level crossing at Burke Road is ramping up, with extensive works to take place during major road and rail closures that begin this weekend.
Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, visited Burke Road crossing this morning to outline the disruption and progress that lay ahead for the project, which will reduce road congestion in Glen Iris, improve community safety and enable more train services through a re-built Gardiner Station.
Over the coming weeks, a new bridge deck will be built on Burke Road. The deck will carry traffic over the Glen Waverley rail line, enabling the construction team to tunnel underneath Burke Road without disrupting traffic.
To get this complex work done safely and efficiently, Burke Road will be closed for ten days, from 6pm on Friday 18 September until 6am on Monday 28 September.
Buses will replace trains on the Glen Waverley rail line between Burnley and Darling from Monday 21 September until Friday 25 September.
Buses will also replace trams between Glenferrie Road/Malvern Road and the Camberwell terminus between Saturday 19 September and Sunday 27 September.
The disruptions have been scheduled during the quieter school holiday period, to reduce disruption on commuters, and trains will operate as normal on weekends during the AFL finals season.
Motorists and public transport customers are encouraged to plan ahead and check their timetable before travelling.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan
“Burke Road level crossing is one of Victoria’s worst, with 26,000 cars, 180 trams and 150 trains using this deadly chokepoint every day.”
“Locals have been held hostage by this dangerous and congested death-trap for too long. It’s dangerous, its congested and it has to go.”
“The bridge deck being built over the coming weeks will enable traffic to flow on Burke Road while we dig the rail tunnel underneath. This will reduce traffic impacts and allow more trains to run more safely through a better Gardiner Station.”
“There will be disruption while we get this work done, but it will be nothing compared to the congestion, delay and distress Burke Road Level crossing causes every day.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020