Level crossings Melbourne

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https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1008536768503640064

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1008598025541783552

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Four more crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong are good for good

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https://twitter.com/LukeHildred/status/1010313788279549952

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https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/half-way-to-50-another-level-crossing-gone-for-good/

Half-Way To 50: Another Level Crossing Gone For Good

Premier 24 June 2018

The Andrews Labor Government has now removed 25 dangerous and congested level crossings, with drivers in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs benefitting from a faster, smoother and safer journey over a new Thompsons Road overpass.

Premier Daniel Andrews today joined Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan at Thompsons Road to celebrate the opening of the first of two, three-lane bridges being built as part of the Andrews Labor Government's $207 million upgrade.

For decades, the boom gates at Thompsons Road have caused delays for the 26,000 vehicles that travel on it each day. Now, drivers will be diverted onto the new northern road bridge on Thompsons Road, permanently separating road and rail and allowing for the removal of the old level crossing equipment below.

Nearly 145,000 hours of work, 1,700 cubic metres of concrete and tens of thousands of tonnes of quarry materials have helped build the 3,200-tonne bridge over the rail line and the 60,000-tonne supporting wall.

Once the new northern bridge opens today, work will begin on the southern bridge and new traffic lanes on the south side of Thompsons Road.

The Labor Government will duplicate sections of Thompsons Road to get more people where they need to go and upgrade 11 intersections, including new traffic lights to boost safety at the notorious Western Port Highway intersection.

Existing traffic light intersections will be upgraded at Wheelers Park Drive, William Thwaites Boulevard, Marriott Boulevard and Lyndhurst Boulevard.

As part of the Labor Government's Suburban Roads Upgrade, the roundabouts at the intersections of Thompsons and Dandenong-Frankston Road and Thompsons and Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road will also be replaced with traffic lights.

Today's announcement comes in a massive week of level crossing removals, with the final four Caulfield to Dandenong level crossings removed earlier this week and the Skye/Overton Road level crossing removed today.

There are now 25 dangerous and congested level crossings gone for good – smashing the election commitment to remove 20 in the Labor Government's first term, and bringing us half-way to our promise to remove 50 in two terms. Fourteen new stations have opened and a further four level crossing removals are under construction.

The Thompsons Road Upgrade is expected to be completed in mid-2019.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"We promised we would remove 50 dangerous and congested level crossings and we're half-way there – with more of these death traps to go for good."

"Drivers in Melbourne's south east will never get stuck behind these boom gates ever again. We've separated road and rail at Thompsons Road – improving safety and cutting travel times." 

Quote attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan

"With more than 26,000 vehicles travelling on Thompsons Road every day – this project is boosting capacity, upgrading intersections and helping Victorians get where they need to go safer and sooner."

Quote attributable to Member for Cranbourne Jude Perera 

"Local drivers were sick and tired of waiting at this dangerous and congested level crossing – that's why we wasted no time getting rid of it."

Quote attributable to Member for Carrum Sonya Kilkenny

"We're widening Thompsons Road and making intersections safer to provide further relief during the busy morning and afternoon peaks."   

Quote attributable to Member for Narre Warren South Judith Graley

"We're getting on with improving traffic flow along Thompsons Road, supporting our growing region and adding yet another level crossing to the scrap heap."     

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R707 "City of Melbourne" leads former Freight Australia/Pacific National H Class #H5 and Preserved 1st Series T #T413 "Steve Gibson" on a Down 707 Ops/Steamrail tour to Sale as it goes through the new Carnegie "Skyrail" station 23/6/2018

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https://twitter.com/JacintaAllanMP/status/1017198324577812480

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The Grange Road crossing was between Caulfield and Carnegie.  The obvious advantage of the elevated rail it allowed for a lot of removals in one big hit (9).

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1018751402577817600

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https://twitter.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1020224708384522240

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https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/altona-loop-returns-early-with-another-level-crossing-gone/

Altona Loop Returns Early With Another Level Crossing Gone

Minister for Public Transport 23 July 2018

Train services along the Altona Loop will resume tomorrow as the planned 43-day construction blitz to remove another level crossing and build new track finishes almost a week ahead of schedule.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today visited the Kororoit Creek Road level crossing site in Williamstown North to inspect progress, as works wrap up to construct the new dual rail bridge and duplicate a section of track along the Altona Loop.

Altona Loop commuters can look forward to more reliable journeys with the addition of a duplicated section of track between the Werribee line junction and Kororoit Creek, removing a significant bottleneck and providing another point along the loop where trains can safely pass one another.

The Kororoit Creek Road level crossing is also gone for good in an upgrade that improves both safety and congestion, as trains run over the new dual rail bridge while vehicles pass through the now free-flowing road below.

Buses will continue to replace trains today, with trains running to the normal timetable from the first service tomorrow morning. The new upgrades have already been successfully tested, with a test train running through the Altona Loop and over the new rail bridges last night.

The dual rail bridge is made up of 40 L-shaped concrete beams up to 31 metres long, each transported to site before being craned into place, and joined together in pairs to form the U-shaped viaducts. More than 70,000 hours have been worked by 750 workers over the course of the construction blitz, with more than 7000 tonnes of concrete used and almost 12 kilometres of cabling laid.

The removal of the Kororoit Creek Road level crossing takes the total number of crossings removed by the Level Crossing Removal Authority to 26, smashing the Andrews Labor Government's promise to remove 20 in this term.

The Werribee line will also benefit from the new metropolitan timetable that will commence on August 26 with 35 additional services, of 190 new services and hundreds of extended services across all lines.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"Another level crossing has been consigned to the history books and I congratulate all those who worked hard to finish these upgrades ahead of schedule."

"I'd like to thank local commuters for their patience as these important works were undertaken – that dangerous and congested level crossing is now gone, delivering benefits for those who use both rail and road."

Quote attributable to Member for Williamstown Wade Noonan

"It's been great to see the progress at Kororoit Creek Road over the last 37 days – and see those boom gates gone for good – drivers will never again have to put up with those frustrating boom gate delays."

Quote attributable to Member for Altona Jill Hennessy

"In the past, train drivers have been forced to bypass the Altona Loop as a result of delays elsewhere on the network, but the new section of duplicated track will get locals where they need to go safer and sooner."

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https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1021189630253674496

https://twitter.com/JacintaAllanMP/status/1021193506268667904

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Herald Sun --> Buckley St Essendon railway station's level crossing to be gone within three months

A CONSTRUCTION blitz in Essendon will see one of Melbourne's worst level crossings finally removed, with the State Government announcing a removal date for the notorious Buckley St crossing.

Essendon state Labor MP Danny Pearson has announced major construction to remove the crossing will start in August, with a three-month blitz to see works completed by October.

"The level crossing is among the worst in Melbourne with the boom gates down for around 78 minutes during the morning peak, leading to major delays on Buckley St and surrounding roads and causing frustration for the 11,000 people who drive through it each day," Mr Pearson said.

But the blitz means Buckley St will be closed near the level crossing for almost three months from the evening of next Thursday, August 9 and some local roads will be closed intermittently.

From 8pm on August 9 to 6am on Sunday, September 30 there will be no access to Buckley St between Mt Alexander Rd and Daisy St, and all adjoining intersections except Court St will be closed.

When possible, intersections at Lorraine St, Violet St and McPhail St will be open for local access only.

Buses will replace trains along some sections of the Craigieburn line between Friday, August 24 and Sunday, September 9.

Buses will replace Seymour and Shepparton trains for the entire journey to and from Southern Cross Station during this time.

The Level Crossing Removal Authority is constructing a road under the railway line near Essendon station to fix longstanding traffic delays on Buckley St.

The removal of the crossing continues to concern some Essendon residents who believe the new road-under-rail model will not be safer for children, the elderly or cyclists.

Last week, the LXRA started its 'Yessendon' campaign to get people shopping local. For every $10 spent locally shoppers would go into the draw to win a major prize worth $1000. Smaller weekly prizes could also be won.

The LXRA recently amended its plans and widened the footpath leading from the station over Buckley St to 1.4m following complaints the footpath was narrow and dangerous for children walking to school. The final plans for the finished road-under-rail project have not been released.

Up to 300 workers will work around the clock to complete work on the road underpass, excavating 40,000 tonnes of soil.

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1029594210440105985

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https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/removing-level-crossings-growing-jobs-and-skills/

Removing Level Crossings, Growing Jobs And Skills

Minister for Industry and Employment 25 August 2018

The fifth elevated station built as part of the Caulfield to Dandenong level crossing removal project is now taking passengers, following a massive effort by hundreds of workers and technicians.

Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll was at Hughesdale Station today to thank crews who have worked around the clock in often wintry conditions to make the station operational.

In a major milestone for the project, more than 10 million hours have been worked so far by a huge cohort of engineers, tradespeople, crane operators, drivers and technical specialists.

Across Melbourne, a staggering 25 million work hours have been clocked up on level crossing removals and the Mernda Rail extension, with an average one million hours worked per month between February and June 2018.

In a team effort involving thousands of workers, 26 crossings – including nine between Caulfield and Dandenong – have now been consigned to the past. During peak construction in June this year, there were more than 6,600 workers across 18 sites.

While these crucial projects are rolling out right now, we are wasting no time in building the rail workforce we'll need for the future.

In Clayton, nearly 50,000 hours of training have been delivered at a dedicated training centre boosting the skill base in Melbourne's booming south east. The centre, established as part of the Caulfield to Dandenong project in partnership with Chisholm TAFE, is training entry level workers and upskilling experienced ones.

To ensure cost is not a barrier to people wanting to get the skills they need to contribute to our massive infrastructure program, we're making 30 priority TAFE courses free and adding 30,000 new training places.

Across the board, apprentices, trainees and cadets also continue to play a huge part in Victoria's pipeline of infrastructure projects, completing at least 10 per cent of work hours in accordance with the Andrews Labor Government's Major Projects Skills Guarantee.

While escalators and lifts at Hughesdale Station will not initially be operational, the full system will be up and running in the coming weeks. Work continues to build the 11 MCGs of new parkland and put the final touches on station precincts at Noble Park, Clayton, Murrumbeena and Carnegie along with Hughesdale.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll

"Every single hour of work and training contributes to a stronger, more highly skilled workforce."

"Skills, jobs and training happening today are vital to making sure Victorians are ready to deliver the infrastructure projects we'll need down the track."

Quote attributable to Member for Oakleigh Steve Dimopoulos

"Thanks to local residents for their patience whilst we got the station ready – after decades of an old second-rate station we now have a station we can be proud of."

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https://twitter.com/vicsig/status/1034230178593964033

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https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/abbotts-road-boom-gates-now-gone-for-good/

Abbotts Road Boom Gates Now Gone For Good

Minister for Public Transport

29 August 2018

Another set of notorious boom gates have been removed for good as works ramp up to get trains travelling over a new rail bridge on the Cranbourne line.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan and Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams today visited the Abbotts Road level crossing in Dandenong South as crews dismantled the boom gates: an important milestone to separate road and rail during the current 10-day rail shutdown.

Eliminating the level crossing provides an immediate improvement to safety at an intersection that has seen two fatal collisions between trains and vehicles over the past decade, in addition to several near misses.

These incidents included a collision between a train and a truck at the crossing in November 2012 that resulted in the death of a train passenger and injury to six others onboard, including serious injuries sustained by the train driver.

This upgrade means one less safety concern for the many train drivers who operate Cranbourne line services each day, while around 22,000 vehicles – including a high number of trucks – that pass over the crossing each weekday can now expect a safer and more reliable journey without boom gate delays.

Buses are replacing trains between Dandenong and Cranbourne, allowing crews to access the rail corridor while trains are not running and put the finishing touches on the 410-metre-long rail bridge.

With all 15 bridge beams now in place, works during this period will include connecting new track across the bridge with existing track, removing the redundant ground-level track, upgrading signalling, installing new drainage and repositioning overhead lines.

When services resume along the line from the morning of Saturday 8 September, passenger trains will be able to travel over the new rail bridge at the same time as vehicles pass through underneath.

Careful planning as part of this level crossing removal project has also future-proofed the intersection for the duplication of both road and rail.

During the works, public transport users are advised to plan ahead and allow more time for their journey. For disruption information and to find your Plan B travel option visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan

"The Abbotts Road level crossing is one of an unprecedented 29 crossings that will have been removed by the Labor Government by October this year – a great outcome for all involved." 

"Each level crossing we remove is another necessary step towards safer, more reliable road and rail journeys."

Quotes attributable to Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams

"Abbotts Road is a busy connector that carries tens of thousands of cars and heavy vehicles every day, all of which will be able to enjoy the benefits that come from removing the level crossing for good."

"I thank local traders, residents and commuters for their patience as we get on with the job of completing this important upgrade."

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https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/two-more-dangerous-frankston-line-level-crossings-to-go/

Two More Dangerous Frankston Line Level Crossings To Go

Minister for Public Transport

3 September 2018

Level crossings in Edithvale and Bonbeach can be removed using a trench and without posing a threat to the Ramsar-listed Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands, an environmental assessment has found.

The engineering designs presented by the Level Crossing Removal Authority in an Environment Effect Statement (EES) will minimise any impact of the work on the environment and manage groundwater flows during construction.

In the long term, careful and continued monitoring of the area will ensure any environmental impacts from lowering the rail line are minimal and can be managed effectively. The trench option will go ahead in Edithvale and Bonbeach.

Following planning and environmental approvals, works to remove the level crossings and build two stations will be completed by 2022.

Work in Edithvale and Bonbeach is part is part of the Andrews Labor Government's massive $2 billion investment on the Frankston line which includes the removal of 13 level crossings and building 10 new stations.

By the end of September, the Seaford Road level crossing will be gone for good and the road bridge across the Patterson River will be open to traffic.

Work on the $10 million revitalisation of Seaford will begin later this year, and geotechnical work has started in Carrum to support the removal of three level crossings, a new station, and a $50 million revitalisation of Carrum village.

The EES was authorised by Minister for Planning Richard Wynne and publicly exhibited for consultation earlier this year.

An independent committee of planning and environment specialists reviewed the 248 submissions and sat for seven days in June, hearing from environmental experts, engineers and community members before making recommendations to the Minister.

Following the Minister's Assessment, formal approvals for the projects will be sought including a set of Environmental Performance Requirements that will ensure the environment is protected.

Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"We're delivering what the community wants and will ensure the local environmental impacts are managed. The trench option for Edithvale and Bonbeach will remove two dangerous and congested level crossings and build two new stations." 

Quote attributable  to Minister for Planning Richard Wynne

"The Level Crossing Removal Authority provided a comprehensive Environment Effects Statement, and my assessment is that the projects can be built and operated with acceptable environmental outcomes."

Quote attributable to Member for Carrum Sonya Kilkenny                                                                                               

"I want to thank my local community for working with us as we have gone through this important process – that work will continue as we get on with removing these dangerous and congested level crossings.

Quote attributable to Member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson

"We've worked alongside the local community to work out the best and most environmentally safe way to remove these level crossings – now that work continues to ensure they're gone for good."

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1056757504896512000

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It is remarkable the transformation, from Caulfield to Dandenong .. 

https://twitter.com/Tram112/status/1073905100639264768

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https://twitter.com/ptua/status/1089283480079392768

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1095550497090560000

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1105347691079323648

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https://twitter.com/RailExpressNews/status/1125624737474990086

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Melbourne Age --> More than a year on, has 'sky rail' turned suburbs into ghettos?

More than a year after the first train ran along elevated rail lines in Melbourne's south-eastern corridor, residents say "sky rail" has increased quality of life and added to the vibrancy of local communities, and realtors say fears of a property price plunge have been assuaged.

Stretches of rail bridges between Caulfield and Dandenong and Cranbourne and Pakenham were part of a $6.6 billion policy to remove 50 level crossings successfully taken to the 2014 state election by the Daniel Andrews-led Labor opposition.

But the plan was fiercely opposed by many residents. Some feared commuters would peer into their homes from above, while others had objections to what was described as a visual monstrosity.

But 15 months after the first carriage rolled through, even some of those most strongly opposed have come around.

Atsuko Yamada moved out of her old Carnegie home, in the shadows of sky rail, to the neighbouring suburb of Ormond because she feared anti-social behaviour would flourish in the area underneath the bridge, making it unsafe for her kids.

But Ms Yamada admits she's changed her tune, and regularly uses the walking path and playground with her family.

"I was quite active in attending anti-sky rail meetings and protesting. I thought it had the potential to bring homeless people and crime to the area under the bridge and make the place unsafe," Ms Yamada says.

"But now, walking through the area, it feels safer ... it's brought people together and become a place for people to socialise."

Glen Eira mayor Jamie Hyams, a Liberal Party member, agrees sky rail has been a "positive experience for the wider community".

"It's certainly improved traffic flow. The area underneath sky rail is relatively new but it definitely shows signs of being a very worthwhile public asset."

He said some residents were angered by graffiti on some sections of the bridge, but the annoyance largely exists at the margins.

Elevated tracks tower over the backyard of Helen Franzi, 36, who lives with her two young children in Carnegie, about 15 kilometres south-east of Melbourne.

But she is all positive, saying sky rail had drastically reduced noise from passing trains.

"I don't have to mute the TV when the freight trains go past anymore. We don't have vases and cups rattling in our cupboards anymore," she says.

She says the open spaces – including playgrounds, bike paths and grassy areas – have been embraced by families, creating a "meeting place with a really nice atmosphere".

"The kids play basketball and ping pong in the new playground underneath it. It's really busy, there's always lots of kids down there ... and I've seen no trouble at all in those areas," she said.

This view is echoed by local mother Dianne Liddell, 37, who lives on the other side of train line.

"I think everyone was quite scared of the aesthetics of the environment and that it would attract negative, undesirable sort of people," said Ms Liddell."But we haven't seen that ... a lot of students and families use the areas underneath."Both women say the previously "atrocious" traffic has eased dramatically.

Kebebush Elesa owns the Top Fashion clothing store a minute's walk from Noble Park station.

"Before [sky rail] there were a lot of homeless people and, you know, drug dealers and young people drinking who came around the area ... because the train station was dark and had lots of enclosed spaces," said Ms Elesa.

"Now it's very open and spacious – it's become much cleaner."

Sky rail may have helped lift property prices, according to realtor Gary Peer, who owns six offices in sky rail suburbs.

"I certainly think it's had a positive effect on the perception of the suburbs. There are some really positive leisure areas underneath sky rail," he said.

I consider the skyrail project (Caultfield <> Dandenong) to be one of the most technically smart projects ever done in terms of bang for the buck and the very clever civil engineering techniques.  My only reservation was that it should have been a triple line between Caulfield and Oakleigh.

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https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1131062129354629120

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Melbourne Age --> Andrews reaches for the sky rail in Coburg, Toorak


Toorak Road rail crossing is set to be removed. JOE ARMAO

Work will begin on a sky rail track to replace the congested level crossing at Toorak Road in Kooyong within weeks, the state government has confirmed.

The announcement comes as the state government releases images of the new Upfield Line stations to be built in Coburg.

The Andrews government says the Kooyong project, to be completed by 2021, will untangle one of Melbourne's most notorious road-rail traffic snarls, but it also puts the state on track for a fresh clash with federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

The idea of sky rail in Toorak, in the heart of the wealthy inner-south-east, has already raised the ire of some residents. Local council Stonnington has controversially handed $10,000 of ratepayers' money to a group set up to protest against the rail bridge.

The Andrews government has hired a group of three companies to carry out the works and says it is keen to get started.

The government says the level crossing's boom gates are down for 35 per cent of the morning peak, causing a major bottleneck for drivers heading to the Monash Freeway and CityLink via Toorak, Glenferrie and Tooronga roads.

The Liberal state opposition attacked the government's decision to build the rail bridge when it was announced in February, arguing it should be built underground.

The project's elevated design also issues a major challenge to Mr Frydenberg, who promised $260 million before last month's federal election to remove a nearby level crossing at Glenferrie Road by sending the rail line underground.

The Toorak Road rail bridge is likely to pose massive engineering problems for Mr Frydenberg's underground rail proposal at Kooyong Station, which is less than one kilometre away.

Victorian Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan insists $260 million for the Glenferrie Road project is insufficient.

The government says the "overwhelming feedback" on the Toorak Road crossing removal was that people wanted it done as soon as possible.

It said an elevated design was the "only feasible solution" based on engineering assessments.

The group delivering the Toorak Road crossing removal includes Metro, Laing O'Rourke and Jacobs, which have completed a series of other level crossing removals in the northern suburbs.

Ms Allan said the level crossing removal would deliver widespread benefits.

"Awarding the contract is a significant step towards removing this major bottleneck, which will slash travel times for tens of thousands of people every day," she said.

Meanwhile, designs have been revealed for new train stations at Moreland and Coburg as part of a sky rail project to take out four level crossings on the Upfield line: Moreland Road, Reynard Street, Munro Street and Bell Street.

The government says the stations will retain their heritage buildings but will be upgraded, with new cycling facilities and paths linking trams and buses, as well as more seating.

A voluntary purchase scheme will be offered to home and business owners affected by the project, but there will be no compulsory acquisitions.

Construction on the level crossings will begin shortly to be completed next year, with the crossings removed over three months by workers on a round-the-clock roster.

Trains will continue to run between Anstey Station and the city.

Up to 68,000 vehicles drive through the four level crossings every day, with the boom gates down for a quarter of the morning peak.

There has been one fatality and 24 collisions or near misses at Bell Street since 2005.

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Herald Sun --> Travel times slashed in city's Melbourne's southeast as sky rail frees up roads

Their construction has been controversial, but new figures show sky rail overpasses have dramatically cut peak travel times on arterial roads. What is your commute like now?

The sky rail bridge through Melbourne's southeast has halved maximum travel times for motorists during the morning peak hour rush.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal the removal of nine level crossings on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line has significantly freed up key arterial routes in the area, reducing journey times even with more cars on the road.

Boom gates had been stopping traffic for as much as 87 minutes in the two-hour morning peak before the controversial $1.6 billion sky rail project was completed last year.

Travel time data, revealed today (SUNDAY) for the first time, shows motorists crossing Clayton Rd in Clayton have experienced the biggest improvements since the level crossing was removed.

In 2016, it took drivers up to 18 minutes to travel 1.7km southbound between Centre Rd and North Rd, with the boom gates down for up to 75 minutes in the morning.

Despite a 25 per cent increase in traffic, the same trip now takes no more than five minutes for all drivers.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the data showed "significant amounts" had been slashed from maximum journey times for motorists.

"Removing these dangerous and congested level crossings has made a real difference to people's lives," she told the Sunday Herald Sun.

"This is about people being able to get to the shops, get to their medical appointments or drive to work without having to worry about a possible 15-minute delay at the boom gates."

Transport authorities used Bluetooth technology to track vehicle movements on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings in February and March of 2016, and again this year.

While the data reflects maximum journey times, rather than average trip times, the government believes this reflects the improvement in trip reliability after motorists were frustrated by level crossing delays which could unexpectedly add as much as 15 minutes to their commute.

The 2km trip over the Centre Rd level crossing in Clayton — between Westall Rd and Clayton Rd — took up to 12 minutes in 2016 but now motorists are spending no more than six minutes completing the same journey.

That is despite traffic volumes increasing on Centre Rd by as much as 55 per cent, with an average of 1400 cars now travelling eastbound between 7am and 9am on weekdays.

Maximum trip times over Grange Rd and Koornang Rd in Carnegie have also been cut in half, while motorists are now travelling along Murrumbeena Rd in less than four minutes — down from up to 10 minutes.

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The HUGE Winter Blitz has come to a close on the #Frankston line. 🚆

The mammoth 💪 effort saw around 350 crew work more than 5000 hours at #Carrum, and approximately 112,000 passengers using the replacement buses between Frankston and #Mordialloc. 🚌 pic.twitter.com/cFf52Q1wbk

— Level Crossings (@levelcrossings) August 1, 2019

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Melbourne Age --> Sky rail over Bell Street: Coburg, Brunswick residents offered buy-up scheme


An artist's impression of the Coburg and Brunswick skyrail.

Homes could soon be acquired by the state government on a voluntary basis as a 2.5-kilometre sky rail is built over Bell Street in Coburg to remove four level crossings from the Upfield train line in Melbourne's north.

The design of the new elevated rail line, which will be up to 11 metres high at some points and stretch from Tinning Street in Brunswick, over Bell Street, to O'Hea Street in Coburg, was released on Sunday.

The state government is opening a "voluntary purchase scheme" to homes that will be most affected by the sky rail.

"This is a very narrow rail corridor, which is why - in part - the elevated rail has been chosen as the best way to remove these level crossings," Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said.

"The Level Crossing Removal Authority will be making contact ... with each individual householder that has been identified [as a] potential candidate for the voluntary purchase scheme.

"We have done this at a number of sites across our level crossing removal program."

She would not reveal on which streets residents would be approached, saying the number of houses acquired would become clearer as people took up offers.

The state government has insisted no houses will be compulsorily acquired and no properties will need to be removed to make way for the sky rail given the nature of the rail corridor.

All four level crossings between Bell Street in Coburg and Moreland Road in Brunswick will be removed.

The existing heritage-listed Moreland and Coburg station buildings will remain and will be integrated into the new station precincts, Ms Allan said.

She was spruiking the designs for the sky rail on Sunday, saying the green, open space created underneath the elevated tracks would be almost twice the size of the MCG, and allow for a larger Moreland Station precinct, featuring barbecue facilities and a nature playground.

"These designs are the product of extensive community consultation and will not only remove these four dangerous level crossings - they'll create new parks, paths and gardens in the heart of Coburg and Brunswick," Ms Allan said.

She said the local community will be invited to help "refine the open space design" over the coming weeks.

The Upfield bike path will also be upgraded so there are dedicated bicycle and pedestrian lanes, Ms Allan said.

Pascoe Vale state Labor MP Lizzie Blandthorn said the local community had been supportive of removing the level crossings and "fabulous in their feedback", making more than 400 submissions online.

"They know that [level crossings] are dangerous. They know that they are congested. They know that they stop them getting around the community, particularly in this narrow corridor, people are welcoming of the opportunity to create more open space," Ms Blandthorn said.

Up to 68,000 vehicles drive through the four level crossings every day, with the boom gates down for a quarter of the morning peak.

There has been at least 24 collisions or near misses at the crossings, including a fatality at Bell Street, since 2005.

Opposition transport infrastructure spokesman David Davis said on Sunday that the government needed to be upfront and transparent with those impacted by the sky rail.

"Daniel Andrews and Labor have treated those who are impacted by infrastructure builds badly, failing to advise them truthfully or in a timely way what will happen to their homes or businesses," Mr Davis said.

In 2018, Metro Trains joined a local transport lobby group in calling for the Upfield line, one of the city's most infrequent peak-hour train services, to be duplicated.

"There is an urgent need to develop a solution for the Northern Group to ensure that that there is sufficient capacity ... until the commissioning of the Metro Tunnel," Metro stated at the time.

The Upfield line is one of Melbourne's quietest, but the rail line is set for the largest yearly rise in passengers of all city trains, between 2021 and 2031.

Patronage is set to grow by 5.3 per cent a year over the decade, Public Transport Victoria data shows.

Construction of the new sky rail is planned to start later this year, with the level crossings set to be removed in 2020, and the open space ready for use in 2021.

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^

What a contrast to the do nothing much approach here in SEQ ...

[ozbob]

#Coburg & #Brunswick, check out the designs planned for the new rail bridge and vibrant open space! 🌳🚶

Bell to Moreland level crossings will be gone in 2020, with the open space ready for locals to enjoy in 2021 ✔️

Find out more: https://t.co/jaRp0doqP8 pic.twitter.com/KC4F5i5HUE

— Level Crossings (@levelcrossings) August 26, 2019

[ozbob]

We've got the green light for the removal of the #GreensRd level crossing. 🚦✅

A rail bridge has been confirmed as the most suitable design for the crossing in #DandenongSouth, which will be removed as part of the Cranbourne Line Upgrade.

More: https://t.co/NpDIjijNlW pic.twitter.com/oM2JPkrICy

— Level Crossings (@levelcrossings) September 3, 2019

Hello SEQ?   

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1178591085578207232

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Designs revealed for Hallam Road level crossing project


An artist's impression of the future elevated rail bridge over Hallam Road. Image: LXRP.

The design for the rail bridge that will replace the Hallam Road level crossing in Melbourne's south east has been revealed.

Site investigations and engineering assessments have determined that the rail bridge design is the best way to remove the level crossing, which currently sees 20,000 vehicles travel through the crossing each day.

The crossing boom gates are reportedly down for more than a third of the two-hour morning peak and delays are expected to increase over time as more trains run on the Pakenham line in the future.

State transport minister Jacinta Allan said the rail bridge design will minimise disruption to road and rail users and enable the final section of Hallam Road to be duplicated in the future.

"Building the rail bridge will get people home sooner and safer in one of the fastest growing communities," said Allan.

Other designs were ruled out due a high-water table, an increased flood risk and impacts to the Hallam Main Drain. Alternatives would also reportedly take a year longer to construct, require compulsory acquisition of businesses, and have permanent impacts to the station's car park and bus stops.

The project will also see the construction of a new elevated Hallam Station, featuring upgraded facilities and improved pedestrian and cycling connections around the station precinct.

Upgrades to the Pakenham line have seen nine level crossings removed so far, with another eight planned.

Works on the Hallam level crossing are planned to get underway in 2020, while the level crossing itself is to be removed in 2022.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1183993186206666753

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/boom-gates-from-bell-to-moreland-set-to-go/

Boom Gates From Bell To Moreland Set To Go

Minister for Transport Infrastructure

27 October 2019

One of Melbourne's most dangerous and congested level crossings at Bell Street is set to go with a $542.4 million contract awarded today to remove four level crossings and build two new stations in Melbourne's inner north.

The project will remove level crossings at Bell Street, Munro Street, Reynard Street and Moreland Road and build two new modern stations at Coburg and Moreland. Bell Street is the busiest east-west arterial road in Melbourne's north, frustrating the more than 40,000 drivers held up at the level crossing each week day.

Work to remove the four crossings will free up space for more trains more often on the Upfield line once Metro Tunnel is complete. Also in Melbourne's north the Government is working to free up traffic with the North East Link Project expected to take vehicles off local roads when it opens in 2027.

As part of the level crossing removal project, pedestrian crossing lights along the Upfield Bike Path will be synchronised with the nearby Sydney Road lights to help improve flow of pedestrians and cyclists.

The two new stations will be well connected to other transport and linked with separate bike and pedestrian paths for safer and smoother journeys, in line with community consultation that has highlighted the importance of the separated paths.

Both new stations will be more readily accessed with lifts and stairs, a landscaped civic plaza and a total of 132 new bike parking spaces. The project will create almost two MCG's worth of open space along 2.5 kilometres of the Upfield line, with three times more trees to be planted along the corridor.

At Moreland Station a new bigger and better Moreland Station Reserve will link both sides of the Moreland Station precinct and will feature barbecues, a nature playground, extensive planting and landscaped gardens.

The contract for the Bell to Moreland level crossing removal project has been awarded to an alliance of John Holland Group, Kellogg Brown & Root and Metro Trains Melbourne, which has removed 6 crossings and built Frankston Station. The team is currently removing the level crossing at High Street, Reservoir, and building the new Reservoir Station.

Investigative works and service relocations will now ramp up in preparation for major construction next year. The level crossings will be gone in late 2020 and the open space ready for locals to enjoy in 2021. For more information visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

"It is not just locals who want this level crossing gone. People from right across Melbourne get frustrated every time they travel through the northern suburbs and get stuck here."

"The contracts are now signed and our hardworking team will get on with the job of removing these four dangerous and congested level crossings in Melbourne's north."

Quote attributable to Member for Pascoe Vale Lizzie Blandthorn

"I'm excited to soon see major works begin on this important project, making the area precincts safer and delivering new open space for locals to enjoy."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/JacintaAllanMP/status/1188244985646182407

https://twitter.com/andrew_lund/status/1188233336168206336

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1189421675286106112

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/andrew_lund/status/1194002664222121984