Level crossings Melbourne

[timh]

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

The Mernda line is almost dead straight already! There is a tiny curve around Bell/Preston stations but I'm not sure how much straighter they can get it. There seems to be some sort of sporting field in the way of creating a dead straight line.

Amazing that in Melbourne they have the guts to resume properties to straighten an already very straight alignment, but here we've got awful curvatures (Doomben line, Ferny grove line, beenleigh line), and no one seems bold enough to do much about it.

EDIT: changed "Upfield" to "Mernda". Realised I was talking about the wrong line. It's still dead straight in that section anyway

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/four-preston-level-crossings-to-go/

Four Preston Level Crossings To Go

Premier

12 November 2019

Early works to remove four dangerous and congested level crossings, build two new stations and a two kilometre stretch of elevated rail in Preston will start next year.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today confirmed the Andrews Labor Government will build a two-kilometre rail bridge to remove level crossings at Bell Street, Cramer Street, Murray Road and Oakover Road.

Around 82,000 vehicles go through the level crossings each day. Bell Street is the busiest road with 52,000 vehicles each day and the boom gates down for up to 40 per cent of the morning peak.

Detailed planning and engineering have determined the best way to remove the crossing – given the constraints on this section of the Mernda line – is to elevate the line and use an innovative U-Trough design. New stations will be built at Bell and Preston, and a section of the track will be straightened to deliver more trains more often in the future. While this will enable faster services, it will also mean a small number of property acquisitions.

The project team is contacting owners and residents and will work closely with them throughout the process. The Level Crossing Removal Project has used a Voluntary Purchase Scheme on previous projects, and the same principles will be applied on the Preston project to identify any eligible homes.

The Mernda line also provides access to the Epping train maintenance facility, which services about half of Melbourne's train fleet, meaning the line can only be closed for a short period without impacting services across the network. As a result, the project will be delivered without any major extended closures of the Mernda line.

The next stage of community consultation will start soon, with locals encouraged to have their say on what they want to see in the new open space. In addition, a community advisory panel will be established to enable locals to directly contribute to the design of the two kilometres of new open space created by elevating the line.

The level crossings will be removed by the end of 2022 and the open space ready for locals to enjoy in 2023.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"Another four level crossings are being removed so we can run more trains more often, with work to begin next year."

"This project will deliver new stations, faster services and less congestion on local streets – as well as new, green open space for the community."

Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

"While we get in and remove the level crossings, we'll also build two new stations and work with the community on the two kilometres of open space they will get to enjoy."

Quote attributable to Member for Preston Robin Scott

"Preston residents can't wait to see work start on this project. I encourage locals to get involved with the community advisory panel in shaping the open space."

Quote attributable to Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous

"My community knows what a difference this will make.  We delivered at Grange Rd and we will deliver at Oakover and Bell.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Homes to be acquired for 'huge' Bell Street sky rail in Preston

Premier Daniel Andrews says the state government's latest level crossing removal job is going to be "huge", taking out four railway crossings in one of Melbourne's worst traffic snarls at Bell Street in Preston "in one hit".

It was big news too for the Tsgaratou family when two government officials knocked on their door on Monday night and told them they would lose the home they have owned for decades.

The crossing removal project is ambitious, taking out the hated Mernda Line crossing at Bell Street, as well as three other road-rail intersections and straightening out the curve known as "devil's bend", just north of the congested thoroughfare.

Mr Andrews said the project – to be completed before the next state election due in November 2022 - was a "big win" for the local community, getting Bell Street moving, running more trains on the Mernda line and creating much needed open space.

But there is a human price for all this progress, as Level Crossing Removal Authority chief executive Kevin Devlin confirmed on Tuesday morning, with six homes beside the tracks to be compulsorily acquired to allow the bend, "a real bottleneck and a speed restriction" to be straightened.

"Removing that bottleneck while we're removing the level crossing gives us the ability to run more services more often," Mr Devlin said.



"We've taken that opportunity ... regrettably that involves land acquisition and that's never easy for those involved."

Millie Tsgaratos was still reeling on Tuesday morning from the news that two houses belonging to her family on Herbert Street in Preston would be among six homes to be compulsorily acquired to allow the rail line to be straightened.

"It's just sad that my dad and my uncle and my aunt, they're going to lose the family home that they grew up in," she said.

"I've got memories here as well, it's pretty much the only connection I've got with my grandparents, I never met them," Ms Tsagaratos told The Age.

Leah Tsagaratou, Millie's aunt, said her parents, who arrived in Melbourne "with nothing" as post-war migrants from Greece would be shocked that their house was to be taken and bulldozed.

"They worked so hard, they would be very shocked because they worked so hard," Ms Tsagaratou said.

The government says it can keep disruptions for motorists and train passengers to a minimum as it builds two kilometres of sky rail and two new stations at Bell and Preston with work due to begin next year.

The job is complicated further by the presence of the Epping Train Depot, which services about half of Melbourne's trains, the bustling Preston Market and Bell Street itself, the busiest road yet to have been tackled under the city-wide Level Crossing Removal program.

Transport Minister Jacinta Allen said the crossings in the Preston area were not only congested but dangerous, with 27 "near misses" between trains and vehicles at Bell Street, Kramer Street, Murray Road and Oakover Road in the past two years.

Ms Allan promised care and respect for the Tsagaratou family and the other homeowners whose houses will make way for the train line.

"Compulsory acquisition is never an easy time for those property owners and we will work carefully and respectfully with each individual property owner," the minister said.

The Premier said the new sky rail would create a two-kilometre stretch of open space with possibilities for park land, walking and cycling tracks and public art, replacing a "rusty and dangerous corridor currently dividing suburbs".

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1194419609547374592

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/andrew_lund/status/1203804752233938945

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1207156245745946624

Score:  Victoria (Greater Melbourne) 31

            SEQ  0

Level crossings removed ...

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Construction blitz planned for Melbourne's Frankston line

To pave the way for a construction blitz in Victoria in May, work towards the construction of two new stations at Cheltenham and Mentone on the Frankston line and the removal of three congested level crossings is underway.

"We're getting rid of these death traps – making Cheltenham and Mentone safer, and delivering brand new stations and more open space," minister for transport infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, said.

"Cheltenham and Mentone are going to have a busy year and I thank residents and traders in advance for their patience during construction, which will deliver more trains, more often."

The Frankston line will be closed between Frankston and Moorabbin in early to mid-February to enable the removals and continuing work at Cheltenham and Mentone.

Construction on the rail trenches which will lower the Frankston line under Park Road, Charman Road and Balcombe Road started in late 2019.

The crossings are expected to be gone by July 2020, and the new stations will open after finishing works by early 2021.

The works are part of the state government's $3 billion investment on the Frankston line, which includes the removal of 18 level crossings and 12 new stations. Five crossings have already been removed.

[ozbob]

Some photographs on travels around Melbourne on 8th January 2020

Thread by @ozbob13: Away we go! Murrumbeena to Caulfield Onboard Bertie all stations to Moorabbin. Ormond inbound rail replacement stop. Moorabbin There is a ra...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1220202346619080704

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/toorak-road-level-crossing-will-be-gone-for-good-early/

Toorak Road Level Crossing Will Be Gone For Good Early

Minister for Transport Infrastructure

23 January 2020

The dangerous and congested Toorak Road level crossing will be gone for good more than six months ahead of schedule, with traffic set to flow freely and trains traveling over the new rail bridge in April.

Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today visited the site, where teams have been working around the clock on the bridge structure.

Crews are currently installing 18 massive concrete columns that will support the new rail bridge, and in February and March 20 large U-troughs will be installed to form the rail bridge.

Retaining walls to support sections of the rail bridge are also taking shape at the rail reserve in Tooronga Park and along Talbot Crescent.

To enable the level crossing removal to be completed safely, efficiently and earlier there will be changes to the way people travel around Toorak Road over the coming months.

Buses will replace Glen Waverley trains on the second-last weekend in February and through most of the Easter school holidays – making use of the quieter holiday periods to avoid disruption.

There will be a range of road closures to support these works, with most closures scheduled for off-peak periods.

Drivers and rail users should plan ahead and allow extra time to reach their destination. Detour signage will be in place, with motorists encouraged to use Burke Road, Tooronga Road and Glenferrie Road.

Removing the level crossing will ease a major bottleneck for the 37,000 vehicles that get stuck at the level crossing each day, improve cycling and pedestrian connections and create new open spaces for the community to enjoy.

Finishing works and landscaping will finish in early 2021 seeing more than 23,000 trees, plants and grasses planted in the area.

The Andrews Labor Government is removing 75 level crossings by 2025, with 31 already gone for good. For information about the project and disruptions visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

"Anyone who's ever been stuck at this level crossing will know about the painful delays it causes for tens of thousands of Victorians each day – but not for much longer."

"Thank you to the local community for their patience while we get this dangerous and congested bottleneck removed for good, with hundreds of workers on site getting rid of the level crossing."

Quote attributable to Member for Southern Metropolitan Region Nina Taylor

"When the level crossing is gone the local community will be safer and better connected, with more open space to enjoy."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/VicGovtNews/status/1222679587210973184

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RailExpressNews/status/1229227618492407809

====

Rail Express --> New rail bridge and station opens part of $3bn investment

Trains are now running over a new rail bridge in Carrum, located in south-east Melbourne.

Carrum station opened on Monday morning following a two-week construction blitz, including laying track and ballast and installing traffic signalling.

Level crossings at Mascot Avenue, Bonbeach, Station Street, and Eel Race Road were removed as part of the project, making the new station boom-gate free.

The new rail bridge now connects to the existing Frankston line. The Victorian Government has invested $3 billion to upgrade the Frankston line on the Metro trains network, including the removal of 18 level crossings and building 12 new stations.

Sonya Kilkenny,  Member for Carrum, said the "dreaded ding" of boom gates will no longer effect the community, making it safer and quieter.

Construction is still continuing on Carrum station. Current access to the new station is through The Station Street level crossing. The main entrance at McLeod Road is set to open later this year.

Carrum station, located in the bayside suburb, has been designed to accommodate coastal weather conditions, with weather protection pods, shelter canopies on the platform and wind screens in entrances.

The station will create a town square at its main entrance, a garden at the southern entrance, and a new foreshore park and beach promenade linking Carrum to the bay.

Jacinta Allan, Victorian minister for Transport infrastructure, said 34 crossings have been removed and 26 new stations have opened part of the level crossing removal project.

"It's great to see the new Carrum Station bustling with passengers right on schedule," Allan said.

"We're not wasting a minute delivering the road and rail projects our city and state needs."

[ozbob]

Score:  Victoria (Greater Melbourne) 34

            SEQ  0

Level crossings removed since 2015 ...

[SurfRail]

I'm trying to think of the last few to go - all I can think of is Beerwah, Telegraph Road and Geebung.

50 or so more to do.

[ozbob]

Yo. Last ones were Telegraph Road  and Robinson Road Geebung 2014.  Beerwah 2009.

None since then of course ...  Melbourne 34 gone ...

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/a-new-station-for-boom-gate-free-carrum/

A New Station For Boom Gate-Free Carrum

Minister for Transport Infrastructure
17 February 2020

The bayside suburb of Carrum is now completely free of level crossings, with trains running over a rail bridge to the brand new station.

Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan and Member for Carrum Sonya Kilkenny officially opened the new Carrum Station this morning after a two-week construction blitz delivered the project on time and on budget.

During the blitz, a crew of 180 worked around the clock to remove parts of the temporary track, open McLeod Road and connect the new rail bridge to the existing Frankston line.

The Station Street level crossing was used by 12,000 vehicles each day, with the boom gates down for up to 49 minutes in the two-hour morning peak – and the road configuration saw drivers zig-zagging through dangerous level crossings with congestion clogging Station Street and the Nepean Highway.

The new direct connection from McLeod Road to the Nepean Highway opened last week, slashing travel times and allowing traffic to flow more freely between the Nepean Highway, Frankston Freeway and EastLink.

Thanks to a new intersection and the connection of Station Street over the Patterson River, the dangerous level crossings at Eel Race Road, Carrum and Mascot Avenue, Bonbeach have all been removed.

While construction continues on finishing touches to the station and community spaces, station access will be through the southern entrance near Walkers Road – with the main entrance at McLeod Road to open in mid-2020.

Based on community feedback, the station has been specifically designed to accommodate coastal weather conditions, with weather protection pods, shelter canopies on the platform and wind screens in entrances.

The station will create a town square at its main entrance, a garden at the southern entrance, and a new foreshore park and beach promenade linking Carrum to the bay. More than 80,000 mostly native and indigenous trees and shrubs will also be planted around the station by the end of the year.

Preliminary works are also underway in Carrum to upgrade the Frankston-Dandenong and Thompsons Road roundabout with traffic lights are underway, with major works set to begin in the coming weeks.

The Andrews Labor Government's massive $3 billion investment on the Frankston line includes the removal of 18 level crossings, with five already gone, and building 12 new stations – allowing for more trains, more often.

For information about major projects across Victoria, and to plan your journey, visit www.bigbuild.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

"It's great to see the new Carrum Station bustling with passengers right on schedule – we thank residents and local businesses for their patience during a long construction period to get the job done."

"With 34 crossings gone and 26 new stations opened, we're not wasting a minute delivering the road and rail projects our city and state needs."

Quotes attributable to Member for Carrum Sonya Kilkenny

"The dreaded ding of the boom gates will no longer plague our community, making it safer and quieter."

"The new direct connection from McLeod Road to the Nepean Highway as well as the Station Street bridge is slashing travel times for local drivers."

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RailExpressNews/status/1232794100748783616

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Toorak Rd level crossing to open early as work ramps up on project

A massive operation to build a rail bridge over Toorak Rd will be ramped up to finish six months early.

Motorists and rail commuters will be hit by disruptions over the next month as two 550-tonne cranes raise giant concrete segments over the busy corridor.

Construction crews are currently laying the groundwork to build the bridge out of 40 segments each weighing 128 tonnes and up to 31m long.

Each segment will be trucked 87km from Kilmore and over the Bolte Bridge. Night-time speed limits will be lowered in the Burnley Tunnel between March 6 and 9.

The work means buses will replace Glen Waverley line trains between Richmond and Glen Waverley ­stations over the Labour Day weekend. Buses will also replace trains between Burnley and East Malvern from April 3 to 12.

Drivers on Toorak Rd have been told to expect delays during night-time closures in March and April.

The removal of the level crossing will alleviate congestion, with boom gates currently closed for more than a third of the time during the morning peak.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the bridge would "free up traffic in every direction" and affect 37,000 vehicles a day.

Project director Steve Brown said the rail bridge was taking shape at record pace.

"We've installed more than half of it in under a week, and the project is on track to be finished six months ahead of schedule," he said.

Melburnians face a city- wide construction blitz this autumn, including major shutdowns of the Frankston and Upfield lines.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1249875174058373121

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RailExpressNews/status/1259701018633179137

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RailExpressNews/status/1262877459231371266

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1273873149608767488

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/aussiewongm/status/1281763912908550145

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1287928369393278976

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/more-level-crossings-ready-go-right-across-melbourne

Premier of Victoria Statement

More Level Crossings Ready To Go Right Across Melbourne

11 October 2020
Works have continued at pace on the Victorian Government's level crossing removals as Victorians have stayed home to slow the spread of coronavirus – with progress forging ahead on more than 20 key projects right across the city to free up congested roads, build new stations and deliver open spaces and community precincts.

Two dangerous and congested level crossing removals at Neerim Road and Glen Huntly Road in Glen Huntly will be fast-tracked, with construction to start next year, the boom gates gone in 2023 and the project complete in 2024 - a year ahead of schedule, accelerating thousands of jobs for Victorians as the state recovers from the pandemic.

The level crossings will be removed by lowering the line into a trench – saving travel time for the 20,000 vehicles traveling through the two level crossings each day, with boom gates down for around half the morning peak.

With more than 200 trains passing through each day, the level crossings cause significant delays for cyclists, pedestrians and trams moving through the busy local area. The project will include a new, modern Glen Huntly station and precinct – improving connectivity and enhancing  community safety.

These two level crossings are the last of 18 to go on the Frankston line – once removed, the line will be crossing-free between Flinders Street and Moorabbin Station thanks to the Government's $3 billion investment on the line.

The Government has also revealed designs for a new North Williamstown Station as part of the level crossing removal project at Ferguson Street, and for the new Glenroy Station as early works continue to remove its level crossing by 2022.

The new North Williamstown precinct will be created by lowering the rail line under the road at Ferguson Street - upgrading the station and delivering a brand-new forecourt, with designs shaped by extensive community consultation prioritising heritage station buildings and more green space.

As one of the most congested roads in Melbourne's north, Glenroy Road sees about 19,000 vehicles cross the level crossing each day – and boom gates can be down for 43 per cent of the morning peak. By 2022 the level crossing will be removed by lowering the rail line under the road, and a new modern station precinct will be built.

Located in the busy shopping precinct, the new Glenroy Station will be a modern gateway for commuters travelling to and from the area, while improving local connections within the suburb – and the project will be built with minimal disruption to trains on the line.

The Government is removing 75 level crossings by 2025 – with 38 dangerous and congested level crossings already gone for good on budget and ahead of schedule. For more information about Victoria's infrastructure agenda, visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan                                                                                                                               

"Our level crossing removal project isn't just getting rid of those dangerous and congested boom gates – we're delivering new train stations, more open space and new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure." 

"We've removed half of the 75 level crossings we promised, well ahead of schedule – and with works continuing in line with strict safety protocol during the pandemic, we're not wasting a minute getting the rest gone for good."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1315064655828512769

[ozbob]

They are going very well getting rid of the LXs, 43 out of 75 ... Queensland?  Not so much ... ZERO 

====

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/crossings-gone-trains-back-upfield-line-two-weeks-early

Crossings Gone, Trains Back On Upfield Line Two Weeks Early

15 October 2020

Victoria's biggest ever level crossing removal construction blitz is on track to finish two weeks early, with trains running on the new Upfield elevated rail line from November 2.

Trains will return to the line after a three-month construction blitz to remove four dangerous and congested level crossings – minimising disruption while train patronage is lower, and ensuring vital construction jobs can continue with strict COVIDSafe measures in place.

Crews have worked around the clock since late July to remove four sets of boom gates and raise the rail line over Bell Street, Munro Street and Reynard Street in Coburg and Moreland Road in Brunswick.

Getting rid of these level crossings – including the notorious Bell Street crossing, used by around 41,000 drivers per day – will reduce congestion, slash travel times and free up traffic on one of Melbourne's busiest arterial roads.

Since July, crews have installed 268 concrete L-beam bridge segments, 21,000 tonnes of ballast, 7,000 concrete railway sleepers and more than ten kilometres of new rail to build the 2.5-kilometre elevated rail bridge in record time.

When trains return to the Upfield line, they will run express through Coburg and Moreland stations while work continues on the station buildings until mid-December. Replacement buses and trams will run between Brunswick and Batman stations to connect passengers with train services.

Work will continue into next year to create more than two MCGs worth of community open space underneath the rail line, featuring over 3,000 new trees and plants.

Work is ramping up right across the northern suburbs, including in Glenroy and Preston, where five more level crossings are being removed by the end of 2022, including the other Bell Street crossing in Preston – making Bell Street completely level crossing free in just two years.

The Victorian Government is now more than halfway through the program to remove 75 level crossings by 2025. When trains begin running on the Upfield line elevated rail in November, 43 level crossings will have been removed.

For more information about Victoria's transport infrastructure projects visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"Our Big Build program has continued to make great progress, in difficult circumstances. When trains run on this line in November, 43 level crossings are gone for good – 28 new train stations have been built, with more to come."

"As we safely open up and rebuild, construction will be more important than ever before. We'll continue to deliver the projects Victorians need, that create and support thousands of jobs."

Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

"One dangerous and congested set of boom gates on Bell Street is now gone – and we're not wasting a second getting on with its neighbour down the road in Preston, with this notorious arterial road to be level crossing-free by 2022."

Quote attributable to Member for Pascoe Vale Lizzie Blandthorn

"Locals will be thrilled to see trains return to the Upfield line two weeks early – and we thank them for their patience over the past months. Over summer, the construction team will get to work on the landscaping and the beautiful new open space underneath the rail bridge."

[SurfRail]

V. depressing.  43 would have been about 80% of our total, and if targeted properly would have left only crossings that are lightly trafficked or in outer areas (eg the ones on either side of Holmview).

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1318371864884903936

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/evans-road-open-and-39-level-crossings-gone

Statement

Premier of Victoria

31 October 2020

Evans Road Open And 39 Level Crossings Gone

Tens of thousands of people in Melbourne's south-east will have faster and safer journeys and easier access around their community with the Victorian Government's removal of the state's 39th level crossing at Evans Road.

The new road bridge is now open to traffic after crews removed the congested level crossing and restored a vital road connection for Lyndhurst, Lynbrook and Cranbourne West, which have been split by the rail line for fifteen years.

Since Evans Road was closed at the level crossing in 2005, road users have taken huge risks travelling across the rail line or taking extremely time-consuming detours. With the road reopened and the crossing gone, these communities are now reunited and safer than ever to travel across.

The new 620-metre road bridge was built using 135,000 tonnes of compacted earth, 450 tonnes of Australian-made steel and more than 3,000 cubic metres of locally sourced concrete. The project supported regional jobs with more than 750 concrete retaining wall panels supplied by GBG Concrete based in Sale.

Work will continue around the Evans Road site over the coming months to plant more than 46,000 trees, shrubs and grasses, creating green space for the community to enjoy.

Evans Road is the first crossing to go as part of the Government's $1 billion Cranbourne Line Upgrade, which by 2025 will see every single crossing removed between Cranbourne and the city, along with fully duplicating the track to allow trains to run every ten minutes on the Cranbourne line.

A construction blitz later this year will see works ramp up as crews work to upgrade critical power and signalling infrastructure that will allow trains to run on the duplicated line between Dandenong and Cranbourne.

To enable this work, buses will replace trains between Dandenong and Cranbourne from Thursday 26 November to Wednesday 2 December. On the weekend of 28 and 29 November and some weeknights, buses will also replace trains from Caulfield to Cranbourne to allow for additional Metro Trains maintenance works.

The new Merinda Park Station will soon begin to take shape with the eastern platform canopy installed and excavation of the station underpass starting. A 600-metre rail bridge over Greens Road – the next level crossing to be removed on the line – will also start to rise from the ground over coming months.

The Cranbourne Line Upgrade, Metro Tunnel and new high-capacity trains will together create capacity for 121,000 extra passengers every week on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines during peak periods – that's 45 per cent more peak capacity.

Strict protocols continue to be in place on all Major Transport Infrastructure Authority worksites to protect the health and safety of workers and the community, consistent with the advice from the Chief Health Officer.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

"Getting rid of the Evans Road crossing is the first step in our massive Cranbourne Line upgrade – removing every single level crossing and duplicating the line to get people in the south-east home safer and sooner."

"With 39 level crossings now gone, we're well ahead of schedule and we're not slowing down – works are underway on 20 crossing removal projects right now to bust congestion right across our city."

Quote attributable to Member for Cranbourne Pauline Richards

"Finally the communities of Lyndhurst, Cranbourne West are reunited after 15 years – with Evans Road back open and a safe, quick connection between these suburbs restored for tens of thousands of Victorians."

[ozbob]

LX removal scores since 2015

Victoria: 43  Queensland 0

Rail Express --> Level Crossing Removal Project reaches 43 crossings gone milestone

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Cardinia Road level crossing to be gone before the end of 2020

The road bridge over the railway line at Cardinia Road in Pakenham will be gone before the end of the year, months ahead of schedule.

While safety measures have been in place for the Level Crossing Removal Project, the bridge has rapidly been put into place and will open in December following a final works blitz for two weeks.

Originally scheduled to open in 2021, around the clock work programs have led to the final works including laying asphalt, line-marking, and signage installation, to be finalised in 2020.

Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the project was about moving people around the community more efficiently.

"We promised to ease congestion and make the Pakenham community safer by removing level crossings – and we're doing that well ahead of schedule, getting people where they need to go sooner by road and on the train."

Along with the removed level crossing, new pedestrian and shared paths will open sooner, creating connections between the nearby train station and local amenities.

Cardinia Road will be the 44th level crossing removed as part of the Victorian government's plan to remove 75 crossing by 2025. The boom gates are currently down for a third of the morning peak and 23,000 vehicles travel through the crossing each day. A new bridge will improve safety while reducing congestion and improving travel times.

Work on a new community space will begin in early 2021. Located underneath the road bridge, the space will provide an area for residents to meet, exercise, and relax.

Elsewhere on the Level Crossing Removal project, the Seaford Road level crossing project is leading to improvements to the nearby traffic network, with work on the Armstrongs Road and Railway Parade intersection beginning.

Signalising the intersection will improve safety for users and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

The new signals will be connected to the level crossing to manage vehicle movements to and from Railway Parade. The pedestrian crossing will be similarly clarified.

The works come in addition to the removal of the Seaford Road level crossing in 2018.

At the Glen Huntly site, community feedback is being sought on the design of the future interchange.

" .. Cardinia Road will be the 44th level crossing removed as part of the Victorian government's plan to remove 75 crossing by 2025.  .. "

[ozbob]

Daniel Bowen's Blog: Level crossing update 2020

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/fast-tracking-level-crossings-support-local-jobs

Fast-Tracking Level Crossings To Support Local Jobs

02/12/20 9.30am

The Andrews Labor Government is speeding up its removal of 75 dangerous and congested level crossings, preparing to award $1.5 billion in contracts for nine level crossings and fast-track a further seven to remove them ahead of schedule.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today visited the site of the Union Road level crossing removal in Surrey Hills, which is being fast tracked for removal along with the nearby level crossing at Mont Albert.

Level crossings in Surrey Hills, Mont Albert, Pakenham, and Glen Huntly will now be gone for good earlier, as part of an accelerated delivery program which will see one level crossing removed every four weeks on average in 2021.

With two fatalities at Union Road in 2016 when a train and car collided – and a further eight near misses in recent years – the Surrey Hills and Mont Albert communities will be safer when the boom gates are removed and a rail trench dug to separate the road and tracks by 2023.

Extensive engineering and technical investigations found consolidating Surrey Hills and Mont Albert stations into a single premium station in a central location will reduce construction impacts, avoid acquiring homes and businesses and provide more trains, more often for the local communities.

The new, modern station will sit in a central location less than 150 metres from the current Surrey Hills Station and less than 400m from the current Mont Albert Station – and with entrances at both ends of the platforms.

Construction on the new station will start in mid-2021, with major works to begin in 2022 to deliver a modern, accessible station with entrances at both ends to maximise access from both Surrey Hills and Mont Albert.

Further out in Melbourne's south-east, the Labor Government will also deliver a new train station at Pakenham East, extending the metropolitan rail track by two kilometres to boost transport connections for the growing community.

Pakenham is currently a major bottleneck where V/Line and Metro trains merge onto shared tracks, often getting stuck behind one another. The new Pakenham East station will include separate turnback tracks for Metro trains and dedicated V/Line tracks – avoiding congestion and improving service reliability.

These upgrades will be delivered as part of work to remove level crossings at McGregor Road, Racecourse Road and Main Street in Pakenham – which will be removed with a raised rail line, a new Pakenham station and opening up new space for community use.

Together with the Cardinia Road level crossing, due to be removed when a new road bridge opens next week, Pakenham will be boom gate-free in 2023/24, travel safer and easier for more than 60,000 vehicles that travel through level crossings in Pakenham each day.

The community will also benefit from a new premium elevated Pakenham station, providing better connections between metropolitan and regional train services along with upgraded facilities.

As part of the $1.5 billion in fast-tracked contracts to be awarded by the end of the year, level crossings will go faster in Hallam, Williamstown, Deer Park Ardeer, Glenroy and Bell Street Preston, the most congested level crossing in Melbourne – with the Bell Street Coburg crossing already gone, delays will ease significantly on one of the city's busiest roads.

As well as delivering eased congestion and five brand new stations, the contracts will generate over 3,400 direct local jobs. Across the level crossing removal project more than 48.5 million hours have been worked to date – with thousands of jobs for engineers, signal operators and labourers and broader local supply chains.

With 43 level crossings already gone for good, the Government is well ahead of schedule on the commitment to remove 50 crossings by 2022, and 75 by 2025.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"Every level crossing removal makes our streets safer, improves traffic flow and allows us to run more trains – in addition to creating hundreds of Victorian jobs."

"With a dangerous and congested level crossing to go every four weeks on average in 2021, we're not wasting a minute getting rid of these relics of the past."

Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

"From Preston to Pakenham, our level crossing removals are freeing up our biggest rail and road bottlenecks to get Victorians moving faster – and we're delivering them well ahead of schedule."

Quote attributable to Member for Box Hill Paul Hamer

"Getting rid of these dangerous and congested level crossings will make Surrey Hills and Mont Albert safer and easier to get around."

[ozbob]

Huzzah !

^

" Further out in Melbourne's south-east, the Labor Government will also deliver a new train station at Pakenham East, extending the metropolitan rail track by two kilometres to boost transport connections for the growing community.

Pakenham is currently a major bottleneck where V/Line and Metro trains merge onto shared tracks, often getting stuck behind one another. The new Pakenham East station will include separate turnback tracks for Metro trains and dedicated V/Line tracks – avoiding congestion and improving service reliability. "

Meanwhile in SEQ

[ozbob]

Surrey Hills and Mont Albert community update – December 2020

https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/media/publications/surrey-hills-and-mont-albert-community-update-december-2020

This is very interesting.



Surrey Hills and Mont Albert, will be replaced by a single station, as part of the removal of the Union Road and Mont Albert Road level crossings, with major construction starting in 2022 and boom gates gone in 2023.

[Gazza]

This guy is gonna be hating the shift of the station:
https://www.google.com/maps/@-37.8198704,145.1054308,3a,75y,76h,96.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2iFfQSMOrCV8JhWWPNRVqQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[ozbob]

^ Yo. I noticed that business was mentioned by the Melbourne crowd when the news of the project surfaced .. 

Distances are not great though and it is a sensible rationalisation.

[Cazza]

They could probably combine Chatham and Canterbury Stations while they're at it (and have the new station just to the north of Canterbury Rd). If the curve proves too much, just removing Chatham would probably be fine and leave Canterbury at its current location.

Catchment and access to Chatham seems limited to begin with so I don't see it as an overly significant removal.

I think the real question is though, will the new station be called Surry Albert or Mont Hills? Mont Surry Albert Hills seems like a bit of a mouthful