Level crossings Melbourne

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

I recall raising the problems at Carnegie & Murrumbeena in the 1960s ...  can't rush these things ... 

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> One of Melbourne's quietest level crossings set to go in Labor plan

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Congestion to rise as boom gates come down earlier on Frankston line

[ozbob]

Urban Melbourne --> Work to start on level crossing removals in St. Albans

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Level crossings: VicRoads list of Melbourne's worst overlooked by Labor

VicRoads' highest priority level crossings for removal by 2022

On Labor's list

    Poath Road, Hughesdale
    Heatherton Road, Noble Park
    Chandler Road, Noble Park
    Balcombe Road, Mentone
    Lower Plenty Road, Rosanna
    Bell Street, Preston
    High Street, Reservoir
    Melton Highway, Sydenham
    Clyde Road, Berwick

Not on Labor's list

    Glen Huntly Road, Glen Huntly
    Madden Grove, Burnley
    Glenferrie Road, Kooyong
    Union Road, Surrey Hills
    Macaulay Road, Kensington
    Mt Derrimut Road, Deer Park
    Murray Road, Preston
    Keon Parade, Reservoir
    Hallam South Road, Hallam
    Webb Street, Narre Warren

No priority, but on Labor's list

    Ferguson Road, Williamstown
    Kororoit Creek Road, Williamstown North
    Bell Street, Coburg
    Moreland Road, Brunswick
    Camp Road, Campbellfield
    Manchester Road, Mooroolbark
    Station Street, Bon Beach
    Eel Race Road, Carrum
    Seaford Road, Seaford
    Skye/Overton Road, Frankston
    Grange Road, Alphington
    Thompsons Road, Lyndhurst
    South Gippsland Highway, Dandenong
    Abbotts Road, Dandenong South
    Werribee Street, Werribee


Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/level-crossings-vicroads-list-of-melbournes-worst-overlooked-by-labor-20151023-gkh3s1.html

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Werribee level crossing that sees one train every two hours to be removed

[ozbob]

Maribyrnong Leader v. Herald Sun --> Yarraville level crossing one of the worst for boom gate waiting times in peak hour

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/bayswater-crossings-next-to-go-in-labor-government-blitz

Bayswater Crossings Next To Go In Labor Government Blitz

Thursday 05 November 2015

Minister for Public Transport

Level crossings on Scoresby Rd and Mountain Hwy in Bayswater will be the next to go as part of the Andrews Labor Government's removal of dangerous and congested crossings across Melbourne.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan joined local Member Shaun Leane in Bayswater today to announce that early works would begin this year and both crossings will be gone by late 2017.

More than 100 trains and around 65,000 vehicles use the crossings every day, making them some of the busiest in Victoria. Mountain Hwy also has more than 100 buses running through it each day.

Boom gates are down for more than 20 minutes at Scoresby Rd between 7:00am and 9:00am, while at Mountain Hwy the boom gates are down for nearly a quarter of the morning peak.

Both crossings will be removed as a single package of works, increasing coordination and reducing disruption for motorists, passengers and the local community.

They will be removed through a combination of lowering the rail line and raising Mountain Hwy and Scoresby Rd, which will enable trains to continue to access the maintenance yard between the crossings.

Bayswater station will be rebuilt into a safer, more accessible and user friendly transport hub, with new platforms below road level, better cycling facilities and improved pedestrian access.

The Bayswater package will create hundreds of jobs during construction, part of the 4,500 jobs the Level Crossing Removal Project will create across Victoria.

The tender process for the removals is already well advanced, with an alliance including Laing O'Rourke, Fulton Hogan and Aecom already confirmed as the preferred bidder for the package of works.

For more detail about the Andrews Labor Government's plan to reduce congestion, improve safety, run more trains and create local jobs, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan

"These are the next two level crossings that will be removed this term by the Andrews Labor Government. They put lives at risk, stop us running more trains and hold 65,000 cars, trucks and buses hostage every day – they've got to go."

"Works will begin this year and by late 2017, both these crossings will be gone and passengers will be getting on and off better train services at a safer, more accessible and more user friendly Bayswater station."

"We're not wasting a moment. We've already announced 19 level crossings that will go before the next election, and there are more to come."

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Metropolitan, Shaun Leane

"Removing these level crossings is what Bayswater needs. It will relieve pressure on local roads, make Belgrave line trains more reliable and improve safety for the local residents, businesses and visitors."

[ozbob]

Daniel Bowen --> Level crossing removals progressing

[ozbob]

Huge news! Construction on the removal of 8 more level crossings on the Frankston line will begin in 2018! #springst
https://t.co/fi0SvTKm6D

— Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) November 8, 2015

[ozbob]

^ bit of a contrast to banana-land ..

We have a Lord Mayor candidate promising a grade sep at Coopers Plains ...

Otherwise stalemate ...

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Eight more level crossings to go on Frankston line

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/a-year-of-getting-on-with-it-four-more-level-crossings-to-go/

29th November 2015

Premier Victoria

A Year Of Getting On With It: Four More Level Crossings To Go

The Andrews Labor Government has marked its first year in office by announcing that it will fast-track the removal of four more dangerous and congested level crossings.

Premier Daniel Andrews today joined Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, to announce that the level crossings at Melton Highway in Sydenham, Abbotts Road in Dandenong South, Thompsons Road in Lyndhurst, and Kororoit Creek in Williamstown North will be removed.

That means 23 level crossings removals are getting underway, with all 23 set to be gone by 2019 and at least 20 of them gone in the next three years, meeting the commitment the Labor Government made at last year's election.

In addition, work to remove eight level crossings on the Frankston line will begin in 2018, meaning more than 30 of the 50 level crossings the Government committed to remove will be finished or underway by the next election.

The removal of the level crossings announced today will reduce congestion, improve safety and create local jobs.

Removing the Melton Highway crossing will slash congestion and pave the way for the expansion of the Watergardens Town Centre, which is expected to create over 1,000 construction and ongoing retail jobs.

In 2012, Abbotts Road level crossing was the site of a horrific collision that derailed a train and resulted in one tragic death. The Labor Government will get rid of this congested death-trap once and for all.

Removing the Thompsons Road level crossing will eliminate a major congestion hot spot on this critical transport corridor in Melbourne's growing south east.  It will be delivered as part of the duplication of Thompsons Road, another key election commitment that will reduce congestion even further.

More than 40 buses, 100 trains and 20,000 cars, trucks and bikes use Kororoit Creek Road level crossing every day. Removing it will improve traffic flow and safety, and create capacity to run more trains.

Community engagement at each site will begin in the coming weeks. For more information about the project and how to have your say, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"These level crossings  are dangerous, congested and suffocate our train system. They are relics of the past and they need to go."

"We've already awarded more than a billion dollars in contracts for level crossing removals. After years of inaction, we're getting on with it."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan

"By the next election, we will have started or finished removing more than 30 level crossings across Melbourne to get home safer and sooner, every day."

Quotes attributable to Member for Sydenham, Natalie Hutchins

"I am proud to be part of the Andrews Labor Government that will finally remove this congested, unsafe crossing in the heart of the Sydenham community, which will pave the way for a massive job-creating expansion at Watergardens Town Centre."

[BrizCommuter]

Melbourne is making huge headway into removing level crossings compared to SE QLD!

[ozbob]

Melbourne is making huge headway into removing level crossings compared to SE QLD!

Indeed!  Queensland?

[Simon]

Melbourne is making huge headway into removing level crossings compared to SE QLD!

Bit of a shame they aren't removing the Glenhuntley Rd tram/train crossing. The other 3 aren't on as busy lines as the Frankston line.

Indeed!  Queensland?

The refusal to close the Beaudesert Rd, Salisbury level crossing is a disgrace but in line with the values of society. 3rd most incidents IIRC and already has an overpass!

[ozbob]

Campaigning is under way to get Glenhuntly sorted ..

Leader --> Glenhuntly on priority list for level crossing removal

I wish them well.

There is a bit of polyticks being played re level crossings (what a surprise hey?)  a flurry of announcements lately, is linked to the Port of Melbourne flog off.  Significant opposition Vic upper house to the flog off, so Premier is trying to set up a wedgie of sorts ..

It could all fall in a heap .. more interesting times.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Level Crossings ‏@levelcrossings 3m

Community feedback from consultations on Caulfield-Dandenong #levelcrossings removal has been released.Find out more http://bit.ly/1N0pS4K

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> End of the line for old railway signal box

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Two more level crossings to go, bringing relief to drivers - and some residents

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Secret plan to put trains in the sky

[ozbob]

Photographs of Burke Road Glen Iris level crossing removal as of 10th January 2016

>> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11742.msg166498#msg166498

[ozbob]

Heading off to look at level crossing works at Ormond, Mckinnon & Bentleigh today. On the Frankston line.

[ozbob]

Heading off to look at level crossing works at Ormond, Mckinnon & Bentleigh today. On the Frankston line.

Some photographs > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11742.msg166535#msg166535

[hU0N]

I noticed a few weeks ago that one of the Green MPs in Vic saying that fifty level crossing removals wasn't enough to have much positive effect on train frequency or reliability because they are spread out all over Melbourne and won't result in any line segment being entirely free of crossings.

Obviously there are side benefits to doing fifty removals. It improves traffic on the effected roads and it puts Melbourne that much closer to fully grade separating the entire network.

But it made me wonder a couple of things:

Firstly, is he correct? As an example, the two lines through Dandenong currently have 10 LX between the junction (just after Dandenong) and the loop. After the removal project, there will be just one (Webster St). Is one just as bad as 10 in terms of reduction in line capacity, or is it more nuanced than that.

Secondly, is the way the crossing removals have been prioritised basically right? I mean is the current approach of doing these crossings that need/want it most the best way, or would you do it differently (eg pick a busy line and do all the crossings on that line, even the less busy ones and then move onto the next line)?

[ozbob]

Just a couple of quick comments for now hU0N.

More level crossings grade separation would be great. Melbourne does have a lot of lx due to the topography, layout and legacy issues.

Removing some of them is a very significant gain as it will take pressure off the remaining lx.  It will allow further frequency and reliability gains.

The present priorities for removal are massaged a bit by politics of course.  Glen Huntly is more of a priority than McKinnon for example.

Latest is the the section of line Caulfield to Noble Park may end up elevated.  This would remove all the congested crossings in one hit.  A very significant gain.  Not sure if the elevated line will proceed though.  Locals will need a lot of convincing. Elevation is a lot cheaper, and will allow the third line from Noble Park to Caulfield, essential really.  To do that on the surface will involve massive costs and significant resumptions.

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/first-of-50-dangerous-and-congested-level-crossings-gone/

Premier of Victoria

First Of 50 Dangerous And Congested Level Crossings Gone

The dangerous and congested level crossing on Burke Road in Glen Iris is gone, the first of 50 that will be removed by the Andrews Labor Government.

Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan in Glen Iris today to see Burke Road re-open to traffic without boom gates for the first time.

The level crossing on Burke Road was one of Melbourne's worst. The boom gates were down for up to 40 minutes between 7:00am-9:00am – a third of the morning peak – causing queues onto the Monash Freeway.

More than 25,000 vehicles, 150 trains, and 180 trams travel through this busy intersection every day, making it one of the most complicated, congested and dangerous level crossings in Victoria.

The RACV named it one of Melbourne's top 10 congestion hot spots every year since 2006.

Removing the boom gates will make it quicker, easier and safer for motorists, commuters, and locals to get to work, school and back home again at the end of the day.

Works on the new Gardiner Station and tracks under Burke Road will continue this week, with trains to return on Monday with the opening of the new station.

Finishing works on the station precinct and construction of the car park will continue throughout the first half of 2016.

More than 500 people worked on the Burke Road level crossing removal, which is part of a $524 million package of works that also includes the removal of level crossings at North, McKinnon and Centre Roads on the Frankston Line.

To find out more about the Labor Government's plan to reduce congestion, improve safety, run more trains and create local jobs, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"Motorists, passengers and locals have had to live with these boom gates for too long. They caused congestion, they put lives at risk, and now we've removed them."

"This is the first of 50 level crossings we will remove, and we're not wasting a day getting rid of each and every one of them."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Alan

"Removing this level crossing is not only good news for thousands of motorists who use Burke Road every day, it's also great news for the local community, which is now safer and will soon have access to a brand new train station.

"The Andrews Labor Government is removing level crossings and investing billions in the major transport projects our network needs, to get Victorians home safer and sooner, every day."

=========================

Trains will actually start running again in around 5 days ...

[ozbob]

Map  http://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/crossings

Very wide spread of proposed level crossing separations.

[#Metro]

How long does a LX removal take? It seem faster than what it is to replace a drain in Fortitude Valley!

[ozbob]

Twitter

Lauren Hilbert ‏@laurenhilbert 42m

Burke Rd Level Crossing gone. #springst @3AW693

[#Metro]

This is a very good policy. Not so obvious at first, but now it's showing good results. And for the MPs - lots of opportunities right up and down the Dandenong corridor to have photo ops and be able to point to something locally and say, "I helped remove those boom gates!"

[ozbob]

How long does a LX removal take? It seem faster than what it is to replace a drain in Fortitude Valley!

Marvellous effort this to achieve what they did in the time frame with the Burke Road crossing.  Tram tracks were completely redone as well.  New super stop, road works, station and completion of the heavy rail.  Trains will resume in 5 days.

The problem with FV is that we have BCC and State Government agencies (TMR QR) trying to find a joint solution.  It might well takes years  ... these clowns cannot even organise basic BUS NETWORK REFORM. 

Brisbane is becoming the joke of the nation. 

[ozbob]

This is a very good policy. Not so obvious at first, but now it's showing good results. And for the MPs - lots of opportunities right up and down the Dandenong corridor to have photo ops and be able to point to something locally and say, "I helped remove those boom gates!"

Lots more to come in Melbourne.  None underway in - cough cough Brisbane hey?  However to be fair we did see a couple done in the past few years and the ALP Mayoral Candidate is talking LX separation as well.

I am confident our local political aspirants and chair warmers will suddenly see the ' glory ' and the warm and fuzzies that awaits successful grade separation ..

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> First level crossing removed at Burke Road

[ozbob]

Level Crossing Removal Project

https://www.facebook.com/levelcrossings/photos/a.883837948357558.1073741830.843601892381164/964321833642502/?type=1&theater



For Burke Road level crossing's biggest fan, what could be a better birthday gift than your very own boom gate?

Zachary has always loved seeing the #BurkeRd level crossing in action so when the seven-year-old, who has high-functioning autism, found out that his favourite crossing was to be removed, his dad Justin contacted the Project with an unusual request – could Zachary have one of the decommissioned small tram boom gates, which are his favourite?

The Project team were obliging and went a step further. They arranged a visit to the Gardiner signal box late last year where he was presented with a hard hat and a safety vest, and given a birds eye view of how the tracks and gates are operated. Children with autism-spectrum disorders are often amazed by the mechanics of trains and trams. Zachary is building a model of the Burke Road level crossing in Minecraft and the model includes the Burke Road tram crossing boom gates.

Zachary gave a big thumbs up when he was presented with his very own boom gate last week - a day after his 7th Birthday!

[ozbob]

Works at St Albans Main road Level Crossing Removal pic.twitter.com/aDGVLWsCwR

— Madison aka Kylie (@boomerangmadi) January 14, 2016

[ozbob]

Twitter

Vicsig ‏@vicsig 10m

Overnight a test train was out through the new Gardiner station which will reopen on Monday when services resume.

[ozbob]

As expected ...

Herald Sun --> Angry families on Pakenham Cranbourne line launch anti skytrain fight

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Commuter chaos fears as buses replace trains on Frankston line for level crossing removal