Premier

Work Ramps Up At Victoria’s Most Congested Level Crossing

30 June 2015

Acting Premier James Merlino today inspected geotechnical investigations at Koornang Road level crossing in Carnegie – Victoria’s most congested level crossing – as work ramps up to remove these congested death-traps.

The boom gates at the Koornang Road crossing are down for up to 87 minutes between 7:00am and 9:00am – nearly three-quarters of the morning peak.

This dangerous congestion hotspot is one of 50 that will be removed by the Andrews Labor Government under the Level Crossing Removal Project.

Other level crossings set to be removed, including Clayton and Centre Road in Clayton, Corrigan and Heatherton Road in Noble Park and Murrumbeena Road in Murrumbeena have boom gates down during the morning peak for more than 70 minutes.

Astonishingly, the Liberals and Greens teamed up in Parliament last week to vote against legislation that helps remove these congested death-traps.

Mr Merlino reassured the community that the Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its promise to remove Victoria’s most dangerous and congested level crossings.

Despite opposition from the Liberals and Greens, work on the Level Crossing Removal Project is ramping up.

On top of geotechnical investigations kicking off on all nine level crossings between Dandenong and Caulfield, including Koornang Road, the contract for the first package of level crossing removals has been awarded and the preferred contractor for the second package has been identified.

All of these level crossings will be removed in the first term of the Andrews Labor Government, with more to be announced in the coming months as planning on all 50 level crossing removals progresses.

Quotes attributable to Acting Premier, James Merlino

“While the Liberals and Greens act as political boom gates, the Andrews Labor Government is getting on with delivering on its promise to remove these congested death-traps.

“Koornang Road is the worst of the worst – boom gates here are down for almost three-quarters of the morning peak or 87 minutes. It’s frustrating for drivers and it slows our trains down – they have to go.

“This crossing and 49 others like it are congested, dangerous and stop us running more trains – they need to go and the Andrews Labor Government will get rid of them.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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