22 Oct 2022: Elevated railway is part of the level crossing removal solution

[ozbob]

Elevated railway is part of the level crossing removal solution.

22nd October 2022




Photographs: Murrumbeena - elevated rail soars over the level crossing it replaced.  R Dow 12 Oct 2022

In the latest Level Crossing removal developments from Victoria, since 2015 they have now removed 67 level crossings in greater Melbourne (SEQ zero). There are further commitments to have a total of 87 removed by 2026, 95 by 2027, 99 by 2028, and 106 by 2029 ( https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project ).

The level crossing removal projects in Victoria have not focussed on a single option, but rather have used a combination of construction methods, namely elevated rail (Sky Rail), rail under road (trench), and road over rail.
There are some early signs of progress towards some level crossing removal projects in SEQ. The default option for level crossing removals in SEQ appears to be road over rail.  This is how Robinson Road level crossing at Geebung was removed in 2014, one of the last level crossings removed in greater Brisbane.

It is timely to look more closely at elevated rail (Sky Rail) as a solution.

The Melbourne School of Design* (University of Melbourne) summarised the potential benefits of elevated rail options for level crossing removals as apart from the safety and reduction in traffic congestion as:
. Greater potential for multi-scale economic and social development related to increased activity around stations.
. Restoration of rail's prominent position in the urban fabric.
. Creation of linear parks and connected quiet streets for safer walking and cycling.
. Opportunities for the fundamental re-organisation of Melbourne's bus system and its connection to the rail network.
. Improved passenger experience, views and wayfinding.

* https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/research/projects/completed/level-crossing-removals-learning-from-melbournes-experience

Full report: THE BENEFITS OF LEVEL CROSSING REMOVALS:
Lessons from Melbourne's historical experience
https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/2733112/LXRA-Report_low_resolution.pdf

There are a number of potential level crossing removals in greater Brisbane that could produce significant community benefits if elevated rail was used, rather than just road over rail!

For example:
COOPERS PLAINS: Boundary Rd
CARSELDINE: Beams Road 
COORPAROO: Cavendish Rd
WYNNUM: Florence St/Ronald Street
WYNNUM NORTH: Wynnum Rd
MITCHELTON: Prospect & Osbourne Rds & Glenholme St
Level crossing removals on the Logan - Gold Coast Faster Rail project

Last week I travelled to Melbourne and reviewed some of the recent level crossing removal projects.
( More photographs can be viewed here > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=263357 ).

It is clear that Queensland needs to take note of the results achieved in Victoria with regards to level crossing removals.
Rather than just dropping into a road over rail with an ugly overpass that doesn't open up the rail corridor, look at these projects as a way of improving the community environment as well as the primary aim of improved safety.

The Melbourne experience is a very positive one.

Our Facebook post on this topic has already generated much interest and strong support.
See > https://railbotforum.org/yourls/2d

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion --> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=263591