Level crossings Melbourne

[ozbob]

Blackburn Road - bridge foundation construction

[ozbob]

37 days of round-the-clock works. Three level crossings gone. Here's a re-cap. #gettingitdone #springsthttps://t.co/PHoUzuv0Xi

— Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) August 2, 2016

[ozbob]

Murrumbeena Info Hub now open

>> http://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/media-library/news/murrumbeena-info-hub-now-open

The Caulfield to Dandenong project team are the newest residents of Murrumbeena's Neerim Road shopping precinct.

If you're interested in learning more about the nine level crossing removals in Noble Park, Clayton, Hughesdale, Murrumbeena and Carnegie, visit the Murrumbeena Info Hub to talk with our team.

This pop up shop will provide locals with the opportunity to speak face to face with members of the project team about any question or concerns, local issues and the progress of the project. Newsletters and fact sheets will be available with all our latest updates.

The Info Hub will be open Monday and Wednesday, 9:00am to 5:00pm and Thursday from 9:00am – 12noon and 3:00pm to 7:00pm.

The Info Hub is located at 444 Neerim Rd, Murrumbeena and will open for at least the next 12 months as the project progresses. During construction, Murrumbeena will become a central location for works in the area with gantry cranes and staging areas in the proximity.

We encourage you to stop by and we look forward to speaking with you soon!

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Train station closures to hit Carnegie and Murrumbeena

Trains will not stop at Carnegie and Murrumbeena stations throughout September, including the first three weeks of the footy finals, as work begins on the sky rail project.

Murrumbeena and Carnegie stations are both being elevated and rebuilt as part of Labor's level crossing removal project along the Cranbourne-Pakenham line.

The tracks will be elevated for kilometres and the work includes the redevelopment of five stations.

In a bid to minimise long disruptions both stations will be closed after the last train on Sunday, August 28, and reopen on September 26 when temporary stations are built ...

[ozbob]

An update on level crossing works at St Albans and Ginifer Stations @SunburyRA @danielbowen @sephmurphy_ #ThatsGold pic.twitter.com/za2W8YK0pS

— Madison aka Kylie (@boomerangmadi) August 18, 2016

[ozbob]

Carnegie. New gantries allow skyrail to be built while trains keep running. Sky not this spectacular in real life. pic.twitter.com/cbJLgHSsmc

— Daniel Bowen (@danielbowen) August 22, 2016

[ozbob]

Find out more about Caulfield to Dandenong #levelcrossing removal construction in our new brochure https://t.co/j1ysXYFFrK

— Level Crossings (@levelcrossings) August 24, 2016

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Sky rail construction works leaves families sleepless on Dandenong-Cranbourne line

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/removing-every-level-crossing-from-caulfield-to-dandenong/

Removing Every Level Crossing From Caulfield To Dandenong

Minister for Public Transport 28 August 2016

Major construction to remove nine dangerous and congested level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong will commence this week.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan and Member for Oakleigh Steve Dimopoulos announced that piling works to lay the foundations would commence this week, along with work at Murrumbeena and Carnegie stations.

The first of two massive piling rigs has already been delivered to site at Murrumbeena Station, each weigh 140 tonnes.

Over the coming months, the piling rigs – with masts up to 30 metres tall – will install more than 1000 piles in the ground along the rail corridor in preparation for the arrival of the gantry cranes later this year.

Later this year the project's gantry cranes will take shape to install 2,500 locally-manufactured segments of the new modern elevated line by moving back and forth in the air. This will allow for less disruption to commuters with trains being able to keep running underneath.

Murrumbeena and Carnegie stations will close temporarily from tonight for four weeks to ensure piling and station works take place safely.

This temporary closure will minimise later disruption for local commuters, traders and residents over the project's construction.

The stations will close after the last train on Sunday 28 August and reopen in time for the first train on Monday 26 September after the construction of temporary stations. The temporary stations will remain open while construction is underway before the new stations are completed in 2018.

Cranbourne and Pakenham line trains will continue to run while the stations are closed. Commuters who use Murrumbeena and Carnegie stations will be able to access train replacement bus services from a number of stops during the station closures.

For more information visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"We're getting on with the job of removing Melbourne's worst level crossings. They're not only dangerous, they cause congestion on our local roads and stop us running more trains on our busiest train line."

"Local residents will see some short term construction impacts but will see new stations for commuters, open spaces for everyone to enjoy and less congestion on our roads."

Quotes attributable to Member for Oakleigh Steve Dimopoulos

"While works are underway, we're reminding locals that local businesses are open and encouraging the workforce to eat, shop and play at all of our wonderful local stores."

[ozbob]

Carnegie station closes after last train tonight for 4 weeks to allow for level crossing removal works. pic.twitter.com/OldJzlw8Vm

— Vicsig (@vicsig) August 28, 2016

[ozbob]

http://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/disruptions

Carnegie and Murrumbeena stations will temporarily close from 1:00am Monday 29 August until the first service on Monday 26 September 2016 for piling works, removal of station buildings and installation of temporary buildings.

Bus replacement services will operate during station closures between Caulfield and Hughesdale stations, stopping at Carnegie and Murrumbeena stations. Customers for Carnegie and Murrumbeena stations are encouraged to change at Caulfield or Hughesdale stations to board the train replacement bus to Murrumbeena Station.

Customers should allow up to 15 minutes' extra travel time. For journey planning, visit the PTV website or call 1800 800 007.

[ozbob]

Murrumbeena station closes after last train tonight for 4 weeks to allow for level crossing removal works. pic.twitter.com/JJsiVib2OG

— Vicsig (@vicsig) August 28, 2016

[ozbob]

Carnegie and Murrumbeena stations: Temporary station closures from Monday 29 August to Monday, 26 September 2016

> http://ptv.vic.gov.au/live-travel-updates/article/mon-15-aug-metropolitan-trains-cranbourne-linepakenham-line

[BrizCommuter]

Thirty. Seven. Days. 

That's what, about the same amount of time it took to build the temporary platforms at Ferny Grove? 

The temporary platforms at Newmarket are now pushing half a year of construction, and still not open! 

[ozbob]

Going to be a lot changed when I visit Melbourne in January.   You have to give some praise to the Vic Govt, staring down the various opposition groups etc. and just getting on with it all over.  All well overdue of course, finally a Govt prepared to take it all on. Benefits will be profound.

Contrast to Queensland hey?  I see Briz has just highlighted the ' speedy construction ' at Newmarket ..  there really are some serious issues here in banana-land.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Sky rail works close Murrumbeena, Carnegie train stations, but Ormond and Bentleigh reopen

[ozbob]

Blog: a quick look around the new Bentleigh and Ormond stations, opened today https://t.co/wLqROnjyOU

— Daniel Bowen (@danielbowen) August 28, 2016

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/ormond-and-bentleigh-stations-open-early/

Media release

Ormond And Bentleigh Stations Open Early

Minister for Public Transport 29 August 2016



The new Ormond and Bentleigh stations opened today – two days ahead of schedule – following a construction blitz to remove three level crossings at North, McKinnon and Centre roads.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan joined Member for Bentleigh Nick Staikos today at Bentleigh station to celebrate the station's early opening with local passengers. McKinnon station opened earlier this month.

Work to build the new stations has continued since more than 1,000 staff worked around the clock for 37 days to remove the crossings and lower the line so trains could run safely under Centre, McKinnon and North Roads.

While Frankston line trains resumed on 1 August, trains will now be able to stop at Ormond and Bentleigh stations. Express services on the Frankston line will resume on Monday 5 September.

Local commuters will benefit from new seating, shelters, electronic signs, myki machines and Protective Services Officer facilities at the stations.

In the coming months, final works will take place at all three stations to install lifts, rebuild station car parks, and complete landscaping. The much-loved palm trees which were temporarily rehomed will be returned to the area by the end of September.

Throughout June and July, hundreds of people made the most of the bridge decks over the former level crossings to watch the construction progress of this massive project, which was delivered six months early.

Community project 'thank you' celebrations will be held at all three of the new stations later this year to mark the completion of these works.

For more information about the Level Crossing Removal Project, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"This is the first time in Victoria's history that three level crossings have been removed at the same time —an incredible effort by everyone, who worked around the clock to make our roads safer and less congested." 

"In less than 18 months, we've removed four level crossings in Melbourne's south-east, and started work on getting rid of another 15."

Quotes attributable to Member for Bentleigh Nick Staikos

"Three new stations built and three dangerous level crossings gone. The new Ormond and Bentleigh stations will make it easier for passengers to catch the train and get where they need to safer and sooner."   

"We know disruptions have made it hard for our community recently, so a celebration later this year is a small way for us to say thank you to everyone for their goodwill and patience." 

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Bentleigh train station reopening offers commuters highs and lows

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Melbourne sky rail project: Residents launch Supreme Court challenge

A BID to derail the contentious sky rail project has been launched by residents in the Supreme Court.

Frustrated residents living on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line are asking a judge to intervene claiming a decision by Planning Minister Richard Wynne to allow elevated rail was "unreasonable".

Nine level crossing are being removed in the $1.6 billion project which is part of the Government's election promise to get rid of dangerous and congested crossings.

Documents lodged by the community group Lower Our Tracks Inc said the community was unhappy with the lack of consultation.

They are also rallying against a planning amendment which allows rail over road projects. ...

... But government spokeswoman Rebecca Thistleton said "these deadly and congested level crossings need to go and we're getting on with it.''

"The planing process for removing these nine deadly level crossings was a standard planning scheme amendment, used by multiple governments to deliver essential projects for our state. ...

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Residents launch court bid to derail sky rail

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Sky rail gets strong backing from voters

Voters have strongly backed the Andrews government's sky rail project as part of its policy to remove dozens of level crossings.

A new ReachTEL poll commissioned by The Age found 60 per cent of Victorians "support the use of sky rail to remove level crossings". ...

[ozbob]

We've released design options for the next eight projects along the #Frankston line for community feedback. Details: https://t.co/TyEG31rA1x

— Level Crossings (@levelcrossings) September 6, 2016

[ozbob]

3 down, 8 level crossings to go on the Frankston line. And the options are on the table. #springst #gettingitdone pic.twitter.com/siLQSiFqEh

— Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) September 6, 2016

[ozbob]

Not mucking around down in the big V ....

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

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/level-crossing-construction-blitz-in-st-albans-to-shut-sunburybendigo-line/

Level Crossing Construction Blitz In St Albans To Shut Sunbury/Bendigo Line

Minister for Public Transport 7 September 2016

A construction blitz at two level crossings in St Albans, as well as major improvements along the Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca lines, will take place during an extended rail closure this October and November.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan visited Bendigo station today to outline details of the major works on the Sunbury/Bendigo line, which will see around 700 level crossing construction workers working around the clock during a month of road and rail closures.

These works will see the Sunbury line close between Sunbury and Sunshine, and the Bendigo line fully closed from 4 – 30 October.

The level crossings at Main Rd and Furlong Rd in St Albans are two of the most dangerous and congested in Melbourne, and work has been undertaken throughout the year to remove these level crossings and rebuild the Ginifer and St Albans Stations.

The Sunbury line will be shut between Sunbury and Sunshine while the existing station buildings are demolished and the new Ginifer and St Albans stations are built. Redundant signals, tracks and overhead wiring will also be removed and new rail equipment installed during the construction blitz.

Furlong Road will be closed at the level crossing from 12-27 October. Road works will continue during November, and Main Road is expected to be closed at the rail line from 4-28 November.

To coincide with these works and minimise future disruption for passengers, V/Line will undertake works to improve the safety and reliability of services on the Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca lines.

The $46 million investment will see V/Line contractors work around the clock for four weeks to replace thousands of sleepers, tonnes of ballast and renew rail bridges along a 380-kilometre section of track.

For V/Line passengers travelling on the Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca lines, trains will be replaced by coaches for the entire journey to ensure people can get where they need to go.

For passengers on the Sunbury line, a bus replacement service will run between Sunbury and Sunshine stations.

Full details, including information about alternative transport during the works, will be available at www.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au and www.ptv.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"Soon these two dangerous level crossings in St Albans will become history, two new stations will be built and V/Line passengers will benefit from safer, more reliable services."

"We know these works will be frustrating for passengers, but the end result will be worth it. We'd like to thank residents, traders and passengers for their patience during these works."

[ozbob]

Leader --> Carnegie and Murrumbeena stations knocked as sky rail work switches up a gear

WORKS on the controversial elevated rail line are well and truly underway with both Carnegie and Murrumbeena train stations demolished and a steady stream of machinery coming and going from the work sites.

Piling works to lay foundations for the sky rail project has started with the first of two massive piling rigs already delivered to Murrumbeena Station. Each rig weighs 140 tonnes.

During the next couple of months the piling rigs — with masts up to 30 metres tall — will install more than 1000 piles in the ground along the rail corridor in preparation for the arrival of the gantry cranes later this year.

The project's gantry cranes will take shape to install 2500 locally-manufactured segments by moving back and forth in the air.

This will allow for less disruption to commuters, with trains continuing to run underneath.

Murrumbeena and Carnegie stations will reopen in time for the first train on Monday, September 26, after the construction of temporary stations.

Meanwhile, residents along the Cranbourne-Pakenham line who launched Sup­reme Court action to stop the sky rail project, were given until the end of last week to apply for an extension before the government moves to have their claim dismissed.

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/37-level-crossing-removals-complete-or-underway-by-2018/

37 Level Crossing Removals Complete Or Underway By 2018
Deputy Premier Minister for Public Transport
20 September 2016

The Andrews Labor Government will have 37 level crossings removed or underway by 2018, with 11 more crossings today released to market after yesterday's long term lease of the Port of Melbourne.

Acting Premier James Merlino joined Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan to call for Expressions of Interest for two new major packages of level crossing removals.

As part of the North-Western Package, Camp Road in Campbellfield and Buckley Street in Essendon will be fast-tracked. Work will start next year and both will be gone by 2019.

The North-Western package also includes the removal of level crossings at Glenroy Road in Glenroy, Bell Street in Coburg, and Moreland Road in Brunswick.

Construction of the level crossing removal at Kororoit Creek Road in Williamstown North and the partial duplication of the Altona Loop will also begin next year, as part of the Western Package of crossing removals.

The Western package also includes the removal of crossings at Abbotts Road in Dandenong South, Aviation Road in Laverton, Ferguson Street in Williamstown, and Cherry and Werribee Streets in Werribee.

These packages will help industry build and maintain skilled workforces, with successful bidders required to meet strict performance measures in order to remove the other crossings in their packages of works.

By the end of 2018, at least 37 dangerous and congested level crossings will removed or underway, with detailed planning or consultation underway at every remaining crossing.

More information about the EOI is available at tenders.vic.gov.au. For more information about the level crossing removal project, fully funded by the lease of the Port, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Acting Premier James Merlino

"Yesterday we kept our promise on the Port of Melbourne, and today we're getting on with removing 50 of Victoria's most dangerous and congested level crossings."

"These death traps clog our streets, hold back our train system and put lives at risk – and we're not wasting a moment getting rid of them."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"This is one of the biggest building programs in Australian history, being delivered well ahead schedule and creating thousands of jobs across Victoria."

Quotes attributable to Member for Essendon Danny Pearson

"The boom gates at Buckley Street are down for nearly 80 minutes in the morning peak. It's congested, it's dangerous, it's got to go and we're getting rid of it."

Quotes attributable to Member for Niddrie Ben Carroll

"In just a few years' time the congested crossing on Buckley Street will be gone, and we'll be well on the way to removing 49 others across Melbourne, reducing congestion, improving safety and saving lives."

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Multi-million-dollar price tag put on level crossing removal plan's hidden extras

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/four-more-level-crossings-gone-by-the-end-of-summer/

Four More Level Crossings Gone By The End Of Summer

Minister for Public Transport 25 September 2016

Four more dangerous and congested level crossings will be gone early next year, well ahead of schedule.

Acting Premier Jacinta Allan today announced a series of major road and rail closures that will enable construction crews to safely and rapidly remove level crossings at Blackburn Road in Blackburn, Heatherdale Road in Heatherdale, and Mountain Highway and Scoresby Road in Bayswater.

From 15 October, Bayswater Station will close and be demolished, making way for a bigger, better station that will open in mid-December. Belgrave line trains will run express through Bayswater during this time, with buses running from stations either side.

In early November, the Belgrave line will close between Ringwood and Belgrave for a 37-day construction blitz that will see 63,000 cubic metres of soil and rock – equal to 25 Olympic-size swimming pools – excavated to lower the rail line, before building the road bridges and safely running trains under Mountain Highway and Scoresby Road.

This huge construction effort will also have an impact on the road network. Scoresby Road will be closed at the level crossing from 2-19 November, and Mountain Highway will be closed from 20 November to 23 December.

Buses will replace trains between Box Hill and Ringwood stations for 34 days from 27 December 2016 to 29 January 2017 while 800 workers lower the rail line under Blackburn and Heatherdale Roads, upgrade Blackburn Station, and build the new Heatherdale Station.

When this work is complete, the four dangerous and congested level crossings on the Belgrave/Lilydale line the Andrews Labor Government promised to remove will be gone, and the upgraded stations will be open. Finishing works on the stations – including car parks and landscaping – will continue throughout 2017.

The Labor Government is not wasting a moment removing 50 of Victoria's most dangerous and congested level crossings, which is fully funded through the successful lease of the Port of Melbourne announced last week. Four are already gone, work is underway at a further 15, and four more will be underway next year.

For more information on the road and rail closures, and to plan your journey, visit roads.vic.gov.au or ptv.vic.gov.au. For more details about the Labor Government's plans to reduce congestion, increase safety, improve public transport and create jobs by removing level crossings, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Acting Premier and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"Our level crossing removals are fully funded and we're not wasting a moment getting it done."

"Four more crossings will be gone by the end of summer, reducing congestion, improving public transport and saving lives."

Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Member for Eastern Metropolitan Shaun Leane

"We're removing these dangerous and congested crossings to get people in Melbourne's east home safer and sooner."

"The impact of these works on our transport network will be enormous. There will be months of disruption during construction, but decades of benefits when we're done."



Disruption summary

Bayswater level crossing removals:

    15 October to 11 December: Bayswater Station closed, trains will run express through Bayswater from 15 October until 3 November
    4 November to 11 December: Buses replace trains between Ringwood and Belgrave stations. Normal train services resume Monday 12 December
    2 November to 19 November: Scoresby Road closed at the level crossing
    20 November to 23 December: Mountain Highway closed at the level crossing

Blackburn Road and Heatherdale Road level crossing removals:

    27 December to 29 January: Buses replace trains between Blackburn/Box Hill and Ringwood. Normal train services resume Monday 30 January
    Blackburn and Heatherdale roads will close at the level crossings, though exact dates are still to be determined and will be advised closer to the time

Additional weekend closures will also be required outside of these times.

[ozbob]

Good news for Cranbourne & Pakenham line customers - #Murrumbeena & #Carnegie stations re-open from first service tomorrow!!

— PTV (@ptv_official) September 25, 2016

[ozbob]

#Murrumbeena station (in it's temporary form during #skyrail construction) re-opens today. pic.twitter.com/NsW8pfPvZI

— Crossing Watch (@CrossingWatchin) September 26, 2016

[ozbob]

#Carnegie station (in it's temporary form during #skyrail construction) re-opens today. pic.twitter.com/ClEA0y6p3Q

— Crossing Watch (@CrossingWatchin) September 26, 2016

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/st-albans-level-crossings-gone-by-the-end-of-the-year/

St Albans Level Crossings Gone By The End Of The Year

Minister for Public Transport 4 October 2016

The two dangerous and congested level crossings in St Albans that the Andrews Labor Government is removing will be gone by the end of the year – more than six months earlier than promised.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today announced that the construction blitz beginning tonight, will see the crossings at Main and Furlong Road removed well ahead of schedule.

Both crossings are among Victoria's most dangerous and congested. The boom gates at Furlong Road are down for 35 minutes – more than a quarter of the morning peak. At Main Road they are down for 65 minutes – more than half the peak.

In the past decade there have been two tragic deaths and more than 40 near misses at the Main Road level crossing. The Furlong Road crossing has also experienced collisions and countless near misses in the past 10 years.

Removing both will reduce congestion, increase safety and improve public transport for thousands in Melbourne's west.

Around 700 construction staff will work around the clock from tonight, removing the crossings and rebuilding both St Albans and Ginifer Stations.

To enable these works to take place, buses will replace trains between Sunshine and Sunbury from 4-30 October, Furlong Road will be closed from 12-27 October, and Main Road will be closed from 4-28 November.

At the same time, V/Line will undertake more than $46 million in critical maintenance and renewal works on the Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca lines – improving sleepers, replacing ballast and upgrading bridges.

As a result, trains will be replaced by coaches on these lines for the entire journey between 4 and 30 October.

For more information on travel disruptions and to plan your journey, visit ptv.vic.gov.au or roads.vic.gov.au.

For more information about the Labor Government's unprecedented removal of 50 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"St Albans has lived with these death traps for too long. They clog streets, risk lives and they'll be gone by the end of the year – we're getting it done."

"We're also delivering $46 million-worth of critical maintenance and improvement works on the Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca lines in October, to improve the safety and reliability of services for V/Line passengers."

Quotes attributable to Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman

"Construction will ramp up over the coming months, with hundreds of people working around the clock lowering the rail line, rebuilding the stations and removing these dangerous and congested crossings."

"These crossings don't belong on our rail network or in the heart of a bustling community like St Albans. We said we would get rid of them and we are delivering on that promise."

[ozbob]

Dangerous And Congested St Albans Level Crossings Gone - https://t.co/n0Ti3KkEfR #springst

— Vic Government News (@VicGovtNews) November 1, 2016

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Level crossings boss hints that sky rail might be the answer on Frankston line

The chief bureaucrat in charge of Premier Daniel Andrews' level crossings program has spoken out about the difficulties of delivering the project along the Frankston train line, hinting that the "best outcome" for commuters might involve upsetting locals who don't want sky rail.

Level Crossings Removals Authority chief executive Kevin Devlin told a business lunch that while bayside residents were clearly concerned about elevated rail being built near their homes, placing the tracks below the ground came with "potential major issues" such as flooding, a much higher price tag, and lengthy closures along the entire train line.

"They're concerned about elevated rail solutions on the Frankston line, and we need to feed that into our assessment of our recommendations to government. But we need to balance other competing issues: is it feasible in an engineering sense?" he told the Committee for Economic Development function.

"On balance, getting best outcome for the whole Melbourne community means you might have to do something that the local community might be upset with."

Mr Devlin's comments are likely to inflame tensions over sky rail, which has been a pressure point for the Andrews government ever since it announced it would build elevated rail to remove level crossings along the Dandenong-Cranbourne corridor.

While a decision is yet to be made for the Frankston line, building elevated tracks along the bay would pose a much bigger political risk, because the train corridor cuts through some of the government's most marginal seats, including Frankston, Carrum and Mordialloc.

Residents have cited a range of concerns, including the blocking of bay views, the impact on property price, the effect on neighbourhood character, and the "potential for antisocial activity" around elevated tracks.

However, Mr Devlin said that modern cities often had to make tough calls in order to build the necessary infrastructure – even if those decisions were not universally liked.

"Is everybody going to be happy with what we ultimately decide? No. And that's always the challenge to manage those big infrastructure projects which unfortunately have competing interests. I haven't seen an infrastructure project yet that has been perfect for everyone."

The government's pledge to remove 50 level crossings within two terms is one of the most ambitious transport projects ever undertaken. So far, six have been removed and another 15 are under construction.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Level crossing closures: Belgrave line closed for next month

Train passengers in Melbourne's outer east are the latest to be hit by major service disruptions because of work to remove level crossings.

A 37-day construction blitz has begun in Bayswater to remove level crossings on the Mountain Highway and Scoresby Road, forcing commuters onto buses for the next month..

A new station at Bayswater is also being built during the 24-hour-a-day construction works.

On Sunday, the government revealed that the Level Crossing Removal project had helped create 610 apprentice, trainee and engineering cadet positions under a Labor policy.

The guarantee requires that 10 per cent of any project valued at more than $20 million must be undertaken by apprentices and trainees.

Projects include level crossings and the Monash Freeway upgrade.

The Bayswater construction blitz features two 200-person, 12-hour shifts each day and began on Friday – with 1500 people already inducted to work on the site.

Trains are replacing buses between Ringwood and Belgrave stations until Sunday December 11.

The whole precinct, including the new station, will be opened on December 12.

The busy Scoresby Rd level crossing closed last week, with the road to reopen on November 19.

The Mountain Highway will be closed later this month and reopen just before Christmas.

Passengers on the Belgrave line, and Lilydale, will also be hit by another line closure after Christmas. The Lilydale and Belgrave lines will close for 34 days between Box Hill and Ringwood on December 27 to remove level crossings at Heatherdale and Blackburn roads.

"Clearly there will be a level of disruption, the government apologises for our progress in relation to removing these level crossings, but these are transformational projects which will improve liveability for this community," Industry and Employment Minister Wade Noonan said.

The blitz strategy in the east follows major closures to remove level crossings on the Frankston line earlier this year where three level crossings were removed in the politically sensitive seat of Bentleigh.

With the closure of the Hazelwood power plant next year set to place further pressure on employment, Mr Noonan said the same 10 per cent apprentice and trainee rule would apply to new infrastructure projects for the region.

"What we expect to see in the Latrobe Valley over the coming years as those investments start to roll out in various projects you will have apprentices, trainees and cadets given an opportunity in the Latrobe valley," he said.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Rail up! Report backs scrapping nearly all level crossings on Frankston, Upfield lines

Virtually every remaining level crossing on the Frankston and Upfield railway lines should be eliminated in one hit by building elevated rail lines that stretch for several kilometres, creating space for public linear parks underneath the tracks, a new report argues.

The report, Rail Up! The Benefits of Elevated Rail, is a project by design students at RMIT University and the University of Melbourne and follows research published earlier this year by the same schools, which concluded that rail bridges produced better results than other methods, including rail trenches.

The new report argues that the Frankston and Upfield rail lines are the most ripe for elevation – dubbed sky rail – of all lines in Melbourne, because they have many level crossings bunched a short distance apart, making it technically difficult to remove them individually.

A sky rail-style transformation of the lines would eliminate 46 level crossings – 26 on the Frankston line between Moorabbin and Frankston and 21 between Royal Park and Campbellfield on the Upfield line.

The Andrews government has plans to remove eight more level crossings on the Frankston line by 2022 and, in response to vocal community opposition, has already ruled out an extended "sky rail" solution.

Instead, it is tackling the eight sites one by one, and has confirmed rail bridge designs for three of them, at Station Street and Eel Race Road in Carrum and Skye/Overton Road in Frankston.

But the Melbourne School of Design report, led by RMIT's Ian Woodcock and John Stone from the University of Melbourne, encourages the government to stare down local opposition to elevated rail, arguing a piecemeal approach to level crossing removal could leave many of the problematic crossings in place indefinitely.

"On the Frankston line, the removal of additional crossings is prudent," it states. "Many are close together and the removal of some crossings in isolation will make it difficult to remove others in the future."

The report argues the fact the line is so close to Port Phillip Bay could create a serious problem in years ahead if it is trenched.

"Grade separations that require the road or rail to be submerged, as in the case of trench rail, would place the line beneath the water table with the consequent likelihood of flooding in the sunken portion," it says. "This risks damage to track, stations and trains along with enormous disruption to services with associated congestion impacts."

Three level crossings are also planned to be removed on the Upfield line as part of the government's promise to remove 50 crossings by 2022 –Moreland Road, Bell Street and Camp Road. No potential designs have been released.

The Rail Up! report argues 21 crossings could be eliminated on the line by building a single elevated track all the way from Royal Park to Upfield station in Campbellfield.

An extended linear park could be built below, creating extra green space in a part of Melbourne's north that has few parks and is experiencing rapid population growth, it argues.
"If the space beneath the elevated rail structure is converted into public open space, 14 kilometres or between 14-15 hectares of new open space could be reclaimed," the report says.

An extended elevated railway would also provide train passengers with pleasant views of the city, compared with concrete trenches that dominate recent removals, including along the Frankston line between Bentleigh and Ormond.

The government is building elevated rail along the Cranbourne-Pakenham corridor, Melbourne's busiest rail line, as it removes nine crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong. The project has proved controversial, with residents near the line fearful of diminished amenity and reduced property values.

[ozbob]

See how we're removing the #levelcrossing at #AbbottsRd #DandenongSouth in this short animation https://t.co/Fwqo2ARnDd

— Level Crossings (@levelcrossings) November 17, 2016