Level crossings Melbourne

[SurfRail]

Their prioritisation may not be perfect, but these crossings all need to go eventually and you can't accuse them of standing still.

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Their prioritisation may not be perfect, but these crossings all need to go eventually and you can't accuse them of standing still.

Yo!  Marked contrast to banana-land.  Looking forward to checking out progress when I visit next in June.

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Skye Road level crossing removal to start this year

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Melbourne Age --> Level crossing removals blow out by almost $1 billion

Labor's flagship level crossing removal program has blown out by almost $1 billion as the Andrews government ramps up debt to avoid a "skyrail" backlash in some of its most marginal seats. 

It has also been revealed other major spending initiatives could face cost increases, including the $5.5 billion Western Distributor toll road, the Metro Rail Project and the school asbestos program.

In a budget estimates hearing on Friday, Treasurer Tim Pallas for the first time confirmed that the government's pre-election pledge to remove 50 level crossings over two terms is now expected to cost $6.9 billion – well above the original estimate of $5 to $6 billion.

Labor initially promised to fund the project by leasing the Port of Melbourne. Despite raking in a windfall $9.7 billion from the lease deal, this month's state budget revealed an extra $846 million has been borrowed for the program.

The increase comes after the government decided earlier this year not to build "skyrail" along some sections of the Frankston train line, where Labor holds four of its most marginal electorates: Frankston, Carrum, Mordialloc and Bentleigh.

But it could end up proving sensitive for the government ahead of next year's state election, when infrastructure and economic management are likely to be central battlegrounds.

On Friday, Mr Pallas told State Parliament's Public Accounts and Estimates Committee that the government had "increased its investment in the program to $6.9 billion".

"In doing so we listened to the community about the sort of infrastructure solutions that best handle their needs," he said.

However, Liberal shadow treasurer Michael O'Brien hit back, accusing the government of waste and mismanagement.

"With these budget blowouts it is little wonder that Victorians are paying the highest taxes in Australia," he said.

The Public Accounts and Estimates Committee spent Friday grilling Mr Pallas, Premier Daniel Andrews, Speaker Colin Brooks and President Bruce Atkinson over the May state budget.

The committee was also told:

    The cross-city Melbourne Metro Rail project has jumped to $11.03 billion, with a signalling trial adding $131 million. (The project was initially costed at about $9 billion, which was later lifted to $10.9 billion.)

    Labor's plan to remove asbestos in all schools by 2020 – initially costed at $100 million – has already blown out to $155 million.

    The cost of the Western Distributor toll road could turn out to be higher than the $5.5 billion estimate.

    The cost to taxpayers of investigating the entitlements scandal involving former speaker Telmo Languiller and deputy speaker Don Nardella had reached almost $120,000.

    Taxpayers shelled out almost $420,000 in external legal fees relating to Labor's so-called "rorts for votes" scandal.

Meanwhile, Mr Andrews could not say how much had been spent defending the government's unlawful decision to put youths into Barwon adult prison, but admitted there "may be further costs incurred".

"The government is still considering its [appeal] options in these matters, so it's very much an open file," Mr Andrews said.

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Melbourne Age --> Essendon level crossing removal plan raises ire of locals and council

Another Andrews government's level crossing removal project is under attack, this time in Essendon where locals and Moonee Valley Council are fighting to overturn a plan to put busy Buckley Street underneath the rail line.

Residents, traders and the council want the government to dump its preferred plan to lower the road beneath the rail line, and instead sink the railway tracks in a trench.

So strong is opposition to the government's plan that Moonee Valley Council has voted to seek legal advice on challenging the government's plans.

A protest meeting is planned for Sunday, and follows a meeting last month that attracted almost 500 people.

The boom gates at Buckley Street are down for 78 minutes over the two-hour peak morning time from 7-9. An average of 15,000 cars cross the road each day.

There is widespread agreement that the rail crossing should go. But how to do it has become a source of fierce debate.

The government argues that, if it were to follow Moonee Valley Council's preferred option, it would cost around $1 billion and see the Craigieburn line closed for up to 12 months during construction.

Moonee Valley mayor Andrea Surace​ said her community was "extremely disappointed" the state government had awarded a contract to builders John Holland and KBR for a road-under-rail level crossing removal.

"Local residents are rightfully outraged at the lack of community consultation on this project," Cr Surace said.

She accused the government's Level Crossing Removal Authority of "trying to keep [the] council and the community in the dark at every step to make it easier for them to ram through this substandard solution".

The council last week voted to get legal advice on how it could challenge the plan, what it would cost, and the likelihood of success. Moonee Valley was one of two councils that in 2014 challenged the Napthine government's plan to build the East West Link.

Roz Shaw is the spokeswoman for a local resident and traders group that is fighting the level crossing authority's plan.

She said locals were very concerned that the government's preferred solution would "unnecessarily endanger the lives of school children" - there are two schools near the crossing - by forcing east traffic on Buckley Street to use narrow "rat runs" to pick up and drop off kids.

"We feel we are being forced to accept a substandard solution purely to fulfil on the current government's election promise," Ms Shaw said.

Level Crossing Removal Authority project director Michael Caink​ said the road-under-rail line was the best way to remove the level crossing.

"Buckley Street is one of Melbourne's worst level crossings, with the boom gates down for a staggering 78 minutes in the two-hour morning peak," he said.

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Melbourne Age --> Business case puts rail crossing removals in red but Labor says project stacks up

The Andrews government's signature level crossing removal project will cost more than $8.2 billion and generate just 78 cents of economic benefit for every dollar spent, according to its business case.

But the true benefit-cost ratio of the project might actually be less than the figure put forward in the business case, which was released on Thursday but written in February 2016.

Budget papers for 2017-18 reveal that the projected cost of removing 50 level crossings has increased by $660 million since the business case was written, from $7.6 billion to $8.26 billion.

This includes $6.89 billion to remove 50 level crossings, plus a further $1.39 billion on the "metropolitan network modernisation program", which includes building new railway stations and walking and cycling trails near the crossing sites.

But the government has given a full-blooded defence of the program's worth, arguing that it will save lives.

Melbourne has 178 metropolitan level crossings, easily the most of any Australian city. In the 10 years to 2014, more than half of all level crossing collisions between a train and a pedestrian happened in Melbourne, and a third of the nation's vehicle-train smashes.

Twenty people died after being hit by a train at one of the 50 crossings on the government's program between 2005 and 2014. There were more than 60 collisions and 680 near misses at those 50 sites.

The cost of those injuries and lost lives is not easily measured in monetary terms, the government said.

"Removing level crossings is not just about economics – it's about saving lives, and the benefit-cost ratio does not take into account the full human and emotional costs of the severe injuries and tragic deaths that these level crossings cause," it said.

The benefit-cost ratio of 0.78 for the level crossing removal program was calculated using a conventional method for transport projects, which is favoured by Infrastructure Australia and the state's Department of Treasury.

But the government also applied a different measure, used to evaluate social projects such as schools and hospitals, which pushed the full level crossing removal program into profitable territory with a return of $1.34 for every dollar spent.

It argued the social benefits of removing level crossings were significant enough to justify this move.

"This is a project that stacks up – it's about giving people work, saving them time and importantly, saving lives," Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said.

The former Napthine government used a similar strategy to get its signature transport project, the cancelled East West Link, into positive economic territory after it was found to have a benefit-cost ratio of just 45 cents in the dollar.

But Ms Allan said there were crucial differences between the two major projects.

"This was an election commitment to remove these level crossings, we said we'd do it and we are doing it," she said. "The East West Link was not an election commitment and when [the Napthine government] did put it to the people they rejected it."

The business case states that the road congestion that Melbourne's level crossings already cause will only get worse in coming years, as traffic gets busier and train frequencies are increased to transport the city's rapidly growing population.

It estimates that the boom gates at the nine level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong would all be down 90 per cent of the time between 7am and 9am by 2021, effectively closing these roads, including Murrumbeena Road, Clayton Road and Heatherton Road, in the morning peak.

The government will remove those nine crossings by the end of next year by elevating the rail line above the road and turning it into a so-called sky rail.

The removal program is also a "critical enabler" for the Metro Rail Tunnel, the government's other major public transport project, an underground rail connection between Kensington and South Yarra, the business case states.

"These major projects will transform Melbourne's transport network and are expected to have a significant impact on Melbourne's city structure, by encouraging households and businesses to locate along high capacity rail corridors," it says.

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Melbourne Age --> Level crossings: Hundreds rally against government's Essendon plan

Hundreds of residents have rallied against the Andrews government's plan for Essendon as part of its $8 billion level crossing removal program.

But demands for a change to the government's Essendon plan have led the son of a pedestrian killed crossing Buckley Street to warn the level crossing is too dangerous to delay its removal.

The state government has signed contracts for builders to remove the Buckley Street level crossing next to Essendon railway station.

Melbourne has 178 level crossings, and the crossing in Essendon, on the Craigieburn line, is one of 50 going. Buckley Street is to be lowered beneath the railway line.

About 11,000 cars currently cross the tracks on Buckley Street daily.

But Moonee Valley Council, in a heavily politicised campaign targeting state Labor, is spending $50,000 fighting the plan.

It wants the government to instead lower the railway tracks from Moonee Ponds to Essendon.

This would remove three level crossings – those at Park and Puckle streets in Moonee Ponds would also go.

The council's plan would likely see historic Essendon railway station, built in 1878, demolished or relocated.

Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said on Sunday the government had chosen the best option.

"Most people want the level crossing removed [and] road under allowed us not to touch the heritage station," he said.

He said digging a trench with a new railway station would have seen homes and businesses acquired.

A report done for Moonee Valley Council in 2015 suggested a small number of properties might be bought by the government if tracks and platforms were built below ground.

Opposition Upper House MP Bernie Finn was at Sunday's protest. He said the government's Essendon plan would hurt the retail strip opposite the railway station because it would restrict cars in the area.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan announcement this month of the builders and engineers for the Buckley Street work enraged Moonee Valley councillors because virtually no detail had been made public.

"We ask questions but we don't get answers," said councillor Richard Lawrence at the protest on Sunday.

He said the government had signed the contract for the level crossing removal without releasing the detail. "The transparency just isn't there," he said.

Optometrist Graeme Wood was also at Sunday's protest. His business Wood and Associates has been opposite Essendon railway station for 35 years.

He said the government's plan would push several bus routes into his shopping strip and ultimately drive out 150 retail jobs.

Moonee Valley Council's well-organised fight to stop the government's level crossing plan has alarmed Jan Laczynski.

His father John died when he was hit by a car in February 1999 while crossing Buckley Street near the level crossing. He was 72.

"My father was pronounced dead on Buckley Street," Mr Laczynski said. "Both the ambulance and the police that attended were delayed by the boom gates being down. It wouldn't have made any difference, but it was certainly a sign of the problem."

Mr Laczynski said it was not certain his father would have lived if the level crossing had been gone.

But he said those protesting against the design for its removal had to recognise how dangerous the level crossing was.

Any delay because of their protests risked the level crossing staying for good, he said. "No one needs to get a death knock like me on the door – it's an awful thing. It stays with me forever," he said.

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Clayton station update @UrbanMelbourne #skyrail pic.twitter.com/IIuJOPlkad

— Laurence Dragomir (@dragomeister) May 22, 2017

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http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/honouring-those-we-have-lost-at-level-crossings/

Media release

Honouring Those We Have Lost At Level Crossings

Premier 4 June 2017

Victorians who have tragically lost their lives at level crossings will be forever remembered at a dedicated memorial unveiled today.

Premier Daniel Andrews joined Member for Maribyrnong Bill Shorten, Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman and local resident and advocate Dianne Dejanovic, to unveil the memorial at the new St Albans train station.

The memorial serves as a lasting tribute to those who have lost their lives, and a reminder of why it is so important to get rid of them.

The memorial is part of a garden at the entrance of St Albans Station with a plaque stating In memory of all those who have lost their lives at level crossings across Victoria. Forever in our thoughts.

The garden and memorial will now serve as a permanent place for Victorians to remember loved ones and leave floral tributes.

Before the dangerous Main Road, St Albans level crossing was removed in 2016, it was one of Melbourne's worst, with two fatalities and dozens of near-misses in the past decade alone.

Dianne Dejanovic, who lost her son Christian at the level crossing in 2012, has long campaigned for its removal.

Christian Dejanovic was killed in 2012 when he ran across the tracks to save a young girl. He was posthumously awarded a Bravery Medal by the Governor General earlier this year.

Over the past decade 20 people have lost their lives at the 50 dangerous level crossings the Labor Government is removing, with 60 collisions and approximately 680 near-misses.

The removal of the dangerous level crossings at Main and Furlong roads in St Albans last year was part of a package of works that also included the removal of the Blackburn and Heatherdale Road level crossings.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"Too many Victorians have lost their lives at level crossings just like this one – today we pause to remember them and their loved ones."

"The dedicated memorial will also serve as a reminder of the work ahead of us – ridding our state of these dangerous relics of the past and ensuring every Victorian makes it home safely to their loved ones."

Quote attributable to Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman

"We've worked closely with the local community who felt strongly about a memorial, particularly families affected by the loss of a loved one. This is a respectful place where people can remember their loved ones."

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/875608888699101185

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Leader --> Bayswater shoppers urged to return after level crossing removal work

SHOPPERS are being urged to come back to Bayswater, with the area open for business as beautification work continues.

Knox Council engineering and infrastructure director Ian Bell said putting powerlines underground and creating outdoor dining areas were the next steps in revitalising the area.

It comes after the removal of level crossings on Mountain Highway and Scoresby Rd, and the building of the new train station and carpark, and a 500m shared path.

"The removal of level crossings has enhanced traffic and pedestrian safety, and the upgrade of the station and streetscape works will provide added convenience and amenity for the community," Dr Bell said.

"The streetscape works will deliver improved visual and pedestrian amenity in Bayswater and encourage increased interaction with local shops and businesses," Dr Bell said.

The Level Crossing Removal Authority is doing the work on behalf of the council in coming weeks.

The council and Federal Government have each put in $1.7 million for the streetscape works, and Dr Bell said the council was looking to allocate $50,000 in its draft 2017/18 budget for business support and marketing for the Bayswater shopping precinct.

VicRoads regional director Aidan McGann said Mountain Highway was reduced from six to four lanes in December, with line marking and asphalting completed in March.

Mr McGann said the 40km/h speed limit on Mountain Highway would remain until August due to continued streetscaping work. It will then return to 60km/h.

When asked how traffic was flowing after the lane removals, Mr McGann said more traffic analysis would be done once the works were fully complete, the speed limit increased and traffic settled.

"We're making Mountain Highway safer and less congested, while building more spaces for locals, visitors and businesses," Mr McGann said.

"The Bayswater precinct will continue to develop as a vibrant centre, with free-flowing traffic and larger areas for pedestrians and cyclists with excellent connections to the new station." ...

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https://twitter.com/CrossingWatchin/status/877043734432456706

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   Amazing stuff this ...

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/885332984575934464

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/895464877682180096

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/898061835827425281

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https://twitter.com/CrossingWatchin/status/899137307315326977

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/899784691493945345

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They are a few weeks behind at Murrumbeena.  The station closure has been extended to October.

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/900614688701952000

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https://twitter.com/CrossingWatchin/status/900933600895410176

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https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/902211999945203712

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/903075146147151872

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/904584824211464192

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https://twitter.com/RailExpressNews/status/904753267850096641

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/904901904651649024

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https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/907070361514082304

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https://twitter.com/CrossingWatchin/status/907973109990416386

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Rail Express --> Progress for line-elevation works at Murrumbeena Road

Beams have been put in place over Murrumbeena Road as part of the project to create the elevated 3.2-kilometre rail corridor in Melbourne's South East.

The level crossing at Murrumbeena Road is one of nine dangerous level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong that are to be removed in the Victorian government's $1.2 billion project.

Currently, the boom gates on Murrumbeena Road are closed for up to 75 minutes during the two-hour morning peak, causing a great deal of traffic congestion on the busy road.

The construction of the elevated section of the line and the new elevated station is to eventually eliminate the need for the level crossing on Murrumbeena Road.

The concrete beams, which form the foundation for the elevated line, are picked up from the Murrumbeena assembly area by a massive straddle carrier, which carries them along the line, planting them upon columns.

According to the government, using the carrier eliminates both the need to cancel train services and for the compulsory acquisition of property, as the machine is able to manoeuvre and carry out its tasks along the narrow space.

Closed from mid-June for construction works, the station is expected to open again on 2 October, after wet and windy weather conditions in July reportedly delayed the previous plan of a re-opening in early September.

Complaints over the noisy construction works have reportedly led the Level Crossing Authority to invite local residents to temporarily relocate to alternative accommodation for several weeks.

The Caulfield to Dandenong project is to rebuild four more new stations – at Carnegie, Hughesdale, Clayton and Noble Park.

The removal of the crossings and the elevation of the line will allow new parks and open public spaces to be created. It is expected that crossing removals will be complete by the end of 2018.

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/912917747880857600

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https://twitter.com/CrossingWatchin/status/914686499525869568

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/915819192368033792

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Rail Express --> Remote-control machines to install elevated track in Melbourne's south-east

Custom-built "high-tech" machines never previously used in Australia are being employed to lay the track on the new elevated rail line for the $1.2 billion Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossing Removal Project.

Two of these machines have been tested at a facility at Clayton South and will soon begin installing long segments of steel rail at Noble Park in Melbourne's south-east, where one of four new elevated stations are to be built along a 2.7-kilometre section of elevated rail.

The machines are operated by remote control, and remove the need for track to be installed manually by crews working on the elevated beams.

"They're built for efficiency and precision, to get the job done faster," construction director Simon Barnes said.

All the elevated beams are now in place – installed by massive wheeled carrier – and bundles of steel lengths have begun to be delivered to the site via a Spotswood welding facility.

The machines will first down pre-cast concrete plinths – being used as an alternative to traditional sleepers – which will then be filled with concrete. The lengths of steel rail will then be transported along the line by the machine, which will set them down upon the plinths. Workers will then clamp the rails in position and weld the steel pieces end-to-end to form a continuous track.

The new machines will install a type of track featuring built-in nose barriers and rubber insulators under every piece of track, specially designed to reduce the noise and vibration emitted by passing trains.

Fifteen workers are being trained to operate the machines, which are operated by hand-held remote devices at speeds reaching 5 kilometres per hour.

"This is the first time this kind of machine has been used in Australia and our track team have done a fantastic job both designing it and getting through the initial learning curve so everything is ready to go," Barnes said.

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/924879951433629700

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/929871343729893376

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https://twitter.com/RailExpressNews/status/937879370181459968

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Another example of '  politics ' determining priority rather than real merit ..

The Age --> Level crossing removal program poor value for money

The cost of removing 50 of Melbourne's "most dangerous and congested" level crossings has blown out by at least $2.3 billion compared to Labor's first estimate.

At $8.3 billion, the project is more than 38 per cent more expensive than its initial $5 billion to $6 billion estimated price tag.

And it could end up costing even more, Victoria's Auditor-General says.

Contrary to the government's stated objective, many of the 50 crossings on the Andrews government's list are not among the city's most congested or dangerous, according to a new report.

Labor promised from opposition to remove 50 level crossings by 2022 in an eight-year program, and is ahead of its target to remove the first 20 by 2018.

But a report by Auditor-General Andrew Greaves, tabled in State Parliament on Thursday, found the pace of removal, driven by the 2014 election commitment, threatens to erode the project's value for money.

Weaknesses in the business case and a politically driven refusal to assess the merits of the 50 selected sites have also undermined the project's value, the report said.

Just 32 of the crossings chosen featured in the top 50 of a 2008 list by the Department of Transport of the state's most dangerous, and just 28 were prioritised on a 2013 VicRoads removal list.

"The delivery of the program is ahead of schedule, and [the Level Crossing Removal Authority] expects to surpass its target of removing 20 crossings by 2018," the report states.

"However, this pace presents risks to achieving value for money. These risks are compounded by an inadequate and delayed business case, and poor indicators to measure program benefits."

Other politically driven decisions, such as changing the reference design of crossing removals from rail over to rail under to avoid property acquisitions, have potentially added hundreds of millions of dollars to the project cost.

    This pace presents risks to achieving value for money. These risks are compounded by an inadequate and delayed business case.
    Report by Auditor-General Andrew Greaves

This has been especially so on the Frankston line, where 11 crossings are being removed, the report found. 

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan defended Labor's selection of 50 crossings, arguing it had been made based on publicly available information while in opposition.

"What we didn't have at that point of time, of course, was the VicRoads report that the then Napthine government had ... and not only did the Liberal government keep this report a secret; they sat on it," Ms Allan said.

But she declined to give a guarantee that the project's $8.3 billion cost will not continue to rise.

The figure includes $1.4 billion for extras including new railway stations, power upgrades and track duplications, Ms Allan said.

"Where we have an opportunity when we're removing a level crossing to do more in those local communities to improve public transport services, we will," she said. 

Treasurer Tim Pallas said the report was "an illustration of why governments should probably never talk about the cost of a project until they sign contracts".

Shadow Minister for Public Transport David Davis said level crossing removals had merit, "but that doesn't mean that you have a licence to blow the public's money ... on a poorly run project".

The report is scathing of the performance of Victoria's public service, finding that the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources has failed to give the Andrews government frank and full advice about potential problems with the project.

The finding by Mr Greaves mirrors a similarly damning assessment of how departmental staff mishandled the former Napthine government's failed East West Link project.

"The role of the public service to provide full and frank advice was not realised in this case," Mr Greaves wrote.

"[The department] should have advised the incoming government that an analysis was needed of the selected sites against the stated program objective of removing 50 of the most dangerous and congested level crossings."

The business case for the level crossing removal program was completed in April, almost two years after the project started.

It was given a benefit-cost ratio of 0.78, based on a total project cost of $7.6 billion, meaning it would return 78 cents for every dollar spent.

The project's current cost, $8.3 billion, would erode the benefit-cost ratio further, Mr Greaves' report said.

Much of the increase has come about from changes to recommended designs, particularly on the Frankston line, the report states.

It also warns that the business case for the project could get even shakier in coming years.

"Given the [level crossing removal project] has only removed 10 crossings to date, with five years still remaining and more complex crossings to remove, there is a real risk of further cost increases," the report said.

The project is largely being funded from the proceeds of the $9.7 billion long-term lease of the Port of Melbourne.

Crossing removals are also meant to bring in new revenue for Victoria by creating property development opportunities in a process called value capture.

However, the Auditor-General found problems with this aspect of the project.

By March, the Level Crossing Removal Authority had identified 26 possible development sites, with an estimated return to state of $153 million.

But so far just one contract has been signed with a developer.

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We're working to transform #Carrum by removing the dangerous & congested level crossings, building a new station, new community spaces & providing safer access for #pedestrians & #cyclists! Works on the new #StationSt bridge begin early this year. #transformingMelbourne pic.twitter.com/nGfJQQDrov

— Level Crossings (@levelcrossings) January 5, 2018

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Not only are we removing the dangerous & congested #levelcrossing at #SeafordRd in 2018, we're making upgrades to a R.F. Miles Reserve & creating new #pedestrian connections #transformingMelbourne pic.twitter.com/O0EyWpuSeR

— Level Crossings (@levelcrossings) January 5, 2018

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https://twitter.com/andrew_lund/status/955919625660739584

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Melbourne Age --> Three boom gates to go to make way for first Noble Park sky rail

Three sets of boom gates will be removed by the end of the month, as the Andrews government gears up to unveil the first section of sky rail and train station at Noble Park.

Trains will start running along the first section of the sky rail from February 15, after level crossings at Corrigan, Heatherton and Chandler Roads are removed.

But locals will first have to rely on buses which are replacing trains from between Westall and Dandenong from January 30 to February 14, as work gets under way to install overhead wiring and connect the new elevated tracks to the existing network.

The open space beneath the elevated rail track will be used as a dog park and a play space for children.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the project had been built months ahead of schedule, and the government was on track to exceed its target of removing more than 20 level crossings by the end of this year.

Sixty near misses and collisions were reported across the three level crossings between 2011 and 2017 and 15 reported near misses in 2016-17.

Mr Andrews said the level crossing removal program was "critical for safety, running more trains more often, and for dealing with congestion on our roads".

"This is all about getting on with it, delivering the things that we said we would do, I'm very pleased to say that we are ahead of time and this project includes not just level crossing removals, but power upgrades, signal upgrades, new stations well over and above the original commitment we made."

It comes after The Age revealed that the removal of 10 level crossings had shaved, on average, one minute off driving times.

Traffic data provided by the Level Crossing Removal Authority, which is used as a basis for its own internal modelling, showed new travel times for stretches of road where crossings once were.

The travel time savings ranged from 18 seconds on Mountain Highway in Bayswater, to nearly two minutes on Burke Road, Glen Iris. 

Easing road congestion around level crossings was part of the government's stated aims in delivering the $8.3 billion scheme, along with improving safety, enabling more train services and upgrading stations and local facilities.

In response to questions about the new data, the Premier said: "I'm happy for you to go and talk to as many motorists as you like, I think the simple question is: would you rather get stuck at a dangerous congested level crossing, or be able to go straight through? I think the answer is a pretty obvious one."

When asked when more train services would be added on lines with removed level crossings, Mr Andrews said he would be announcing changes later this year.

"This is a progressive, gradual thing, you've got to remove the level crossings, you've got to then, of course, build additional trains, and then you can run additional services.

"We will have more announcements to make later in the year about additional services, and about maximising the potential that we have been able to unlock by getting rid of these absolute congested death traps that are the nine level crossings from Caulfield to Dandenong."

Kevin Devlin, head of the Level Crossing Removal Authority, said the project was getting "more cars, faster through these level crossings".

"We are getting up to 40 per cent more cars through these intersections, and 40 per cent quicker," he said.

The government has removed 11 level crossings, while all nine crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong trains stations on the busy Cranborne/Pakenham line are set to be removed by the end of 2018.