Premier

Gone, Gone, Gone: Three More Level Crossings Removed

26 June 2016

The dangerous and congested level crossings at Centre, McKinnon and North Roads are gone.

Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan in Bentleigh today where the Centre Road boom gates that held cars hostage for nearly 40 minutes in the morning peak have been removed.

The boom gates at North Road and McKinnon Road have also been removed, meaning the Frankston line now has three fewer level crossings than it did when the Andrews Labor Government was elected.

The Labor Government has now removed four level crossings in less than 18 months, and construction is underway at a further 15 crossings. By the end of 2018, work will be underway or complete on the removal of 35 of Victoria’s worst crossings – including eight more on the Frankston line – with 50 crossings gone by 2022.

The removal of the boom gates comes at the start of a 37 day closure of the Frankston line – the most significant rail closure since the construction of the City Loop more than 30 years ago.

During the closure, 1000 construction workers will work around the clock, excavating more than 250,000 cubic metres – enough to fill the MCG – to lower the train line by up to seven metres and remove the crossings.

To enable this work to be carried out safely and efficiently, buses are replacing trains between Caulfield and Moorabbin, and on the Stony Point line.

Trains will return at the start of August, and the new stations at Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh will be progressively opened to passengers over the month.

For more information about the works, the project and service changes, visit www.levelcrossings.vic.gov.auExternal Link .

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“These communities have lived with these dangerous and congested crossings for too long. We said we would get rid of them, and now they’re gone.”

“In just 18 months, we’ve removed four level crossings and started work on removing 15 more. We’re not wasting a moment getting rid of these relics of the past that clog streets, risk lives and stop us running more trains.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

“These level crossings were among Victoria’s worst, with boom gates down for more than a third of the morning peak. Those boom gates are history and we’re getting on with removing more crossings.”

Quote attributable to Member for Bentleigh Nick Staikos

“These communities have fought tirelessly to see these congested death-traps removed. I am so proud to be part of the Government who has listened to these families, and got rid of these dangerous crossings once and for all.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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