Level crossings Melbourne

[ozbob]

 

https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1578896224983592960

[ozbob]

update ... 

https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project

Level Crossings removed since 2015:

Melbourne 67 (sixty seven) 

85 to be removed by 2025 ... 93 by 2027 ... 97 by 2028 
.... 104 by 2029

Brisbane 0 (zero)


[/quote]

[ozbob]

Premier Victoria

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/making-frankston-line-level-crossing-free

Making The Frankston Line Level Crossing Free

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/making-frankston-line-level-crossing-free

The Andrews Labor Government will remove seven dangerous and congested level crossings and close two more on the Frankston Line – making it boom gate-free by 2029, and changing the way locals live, work and travel.

Level crossings are set to go from:

Wickham Road, Highett
Highett Road, Highett
McDonald Street, Mordialloc
Station Street, Aspendale
Groves Street, Aspendale
Armstrongs Road, Seaford
Station Street, Seaford
Latrobe Street, Mentone (closure)
Bear Street, Mordialloc (closure)
As part of the removals, we will also build new stations at Highett, Mordialloc, Aspendale and Seaford, delivering modern facilities for passengers – which means that by 2029, 17 new stations will have been delivered on the Frankston Line.

More than 51,000 vehicles travel over these level crossings each day – and during the morning peak, 43 trains pass through, leaving the boom gates down for up to 48 minutes. There have been 51 near misses at these locations since 2016, and tragically, one fatality.

A total of 27 level crossings will be gone from the Frankston Line by 2029, clearing the way for more frequent services, improving safety and easing congestion.

Early engineering assessments have informed preferred design options for each of these level crossing removals.

A rail bridge is the preferred design to remove the level crossings at Wickham Road and Highett Road, Highett. This rail bridge design will minimise land acquisition and avoid a four-month closure of the Frankston Line.

Proximity to Mordialloc Creek means McDonald Street, Mordialloc and Station Street, Aspendale are also best removed with a rail bridge, with a new alignment likely for the road at Station Street in Aspendale. Removing the McDonald Street level crossing will allow nearby Bear Street to be closed, so the rail bridge can return to ground level before the stabling yards near Mordialloc Station, avoiding the need to relocate them.

Armstrongs Road and Station Street in Seaford will also be removed with a rail bridge. The proximity of the Kananook Creek precludes consideration of a rail trench through this area. These designs will create opportunities for open space, as well as cycling and walking connections.

The preferred solution to remove the level crossing at Groves Street, Aspendale is to lower the rail line underneath the road.

The recent removals of the boom gates at Park and Charman Roads, Cheltenham and Balcombe Road, Mentone, coupled with the removal at Warrigal Road, Mentone and Parkers Road, Parkdale, allow for the closure of the Latrobe Street level crossing, with a pedestrian crossing to be maintained.

Final designs will be released after consultation with the community and detailed site investigations.

The Metro Tunnel will deliver more capacity for the Frankston Line when it opens in 2025 and removing level crossings is critical to ensuring we can run more trains, more often across the network.

Since 2015, the Government has removed 67 level crossings well ahead of schedule, built 37 new and upgraded stations, created 50km of walking and cycling paths and unlocked 20 MCGs of open space to deliver massive improvements for communities across Melbourne.

For more information about the new level crossing removals and preferred design solutions, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"We know how important removing dangerous and congested level crossings is – that's why we've removed 67 of them. But now we'll do more, getting rid of every single level crossing along the Frankston Line."

"We're on budget and well ahead of schedule with our unprecedented level crossing removal projects, and now we'll make the Frankston Line level crossing free – delivering huge benefits to local communities."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

"We will make the Frankston Line level crossing free, which makes our busiest sections of the rail network safer and less congested."

"You can't trust Matthew Guy's Liberals on public transport – they've opposed every single level crossing we've removed on this line, and they've promised to 'reprioritise' level crossing removals, putting a boom-gate free Frankston Line at risk."

Quote attributable to Member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson

"Today's announcement is exciting – with the removal of these dangerous and congested level crossings improving safety, reducing congestion and creating better connections for our community. We've seen so much investment on the Frankston Line but there is more work to be done."

Quote attributable to Member for Carrum Sonya Kilkenny

"We've seen how amazing the new Carrum Station and foreshore park looks and the community is enjoying the new open spaces created by this project. I look forward to seeing these new crossings gone for good and a new Seaford Station, which will make a real difference to our community."

Quote attributable to Member for Bentleigh Nick Staikos

"The level crossings we've removed in Bentleigh have made a huge difference – better connecting our community and improving safety. It's great to see these new sites added to the list to deliver even more benefits for our growing community."

Quote attributable to Member for Frankston Paul Edbrooke

"The level crossing removals along the Frankston Line have made such a difference to traffic congestion in the area and made it safer for road users who no longer have to wait for boom gates. The new stations provide updated facilities to passengers and a more comfortable travel experience."

[ozbob]

^ Note:  Two closures above ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1578935862095933440

[verbatim9]

Tik Tok user explaining the benefits of level crossing removals--->https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSRbsTC4x/

[ozbob]

Tik Tok user explaining the benefits of level crossing removals--->https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSRbsTC4x/

Spot on.  I walked from Oakleigh to Caulfield along the rail corridor over the past couple of days.  I did it 2019/20 when main construction finished.  Now, all the linear parks are complete, the shrubs and gardens are grown and the sky rail is complete.  The outcome is wonderful.  Excellent community activity outcomes - active transport opportunity in a safe environment, as well as ' gym ' activity areas as well.  Carnegie even has some table tennis facilities, a number of basketball courts as well. Communities are now connected where previously the rail corridor was a barrier.  There was no graffiti either.

I also went to Carrum today and worked my way back.  Carrum is 'sky rail' other recent removals eg. Mentone, Chelsea, Cheltenham, are rail under road which better suited those environments. I also had a look at the works proceeding at Glen Huntly - this a tram square and a very complex LX removal.

Some tweets, in time will post actual photographs.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1580685123015823361

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1580688894856925184

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1580693926234968064

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1580703321618550785

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1580707111650340867

[ozbob]

We are a backwater in many respects in SEQ. 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1583118922362286080

[ozbob]

Bell to Moreland project – creating sustainable places for everyone
https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/level-crossing-removal-project/bell-to-moreland-creating-sustainable-places-for-everyone

The Bell to Moreland project in Melbourne's north has been crowned the Industry Leader Award in the Premier's Sustainability Awards 2022 – Sustainable places and destinations category.

The project involved the removal of 4 dangerous and congested level crossings in Melbourne's north, including Moreland Road in Brunswick as well as Reynard Street, Munro Street and Bell Street in Coburg.

Two new state-of-the-art stations were built at Coburg and Moreland, and 2.5kms of new open space was welcomed by the community, with walking and cycling paths with bike repair stations, active equipment, playgrounds and dog parks.
Since it opened last year, the new community space has transformed a former rail corridor into a vibrant and active urban precinct, promoting community health, inclusion and a sustainable connection to nature.
The project has also rated the highest ever by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council and Green Building Council of Australia, with a leading score of 98 points. Coburg Station received a 6-star green star result – making it Australia's first As Built 6-star train station.

Some of the sustainability highlights on the Bell to Moreland project include:
Energy and water monitoring systems
Solar panels at Coburg Station
Water sensitive urban design
Woody Meadows, plantings of Australian natives throughout the project.

[ozbob]

It is difficult to keep up with the numbers at present ...

====

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/making-werribee-line-level-crossing-free

Making The Werribee Line Level Crossing Free

26 October 2022

More of Melbourne's dangerous and congested death traps are set to go, with the Andrews Labor Government today pledging to make the Werribee Line level crossing free – paving the way for more trains to the west, more often.

Since 2016, we've removed four level crossings on the Werribee Line. But there's more to do, so now, we'll make the line level crossing free from 2030, removing:

Hudsons Road, Spotswood
Maddox Road, Newport
Maidstone Street, Altona

More than 27,000 vehicles cross the tracks at these three crossings daily, with the boom gates down for up to 52 minutes in the two-hour morning peak, when around 48 trains run through.

With the Metro Tunnel on track to open a year early in 2025, we'll free up even more space for more trains on the Werribee line – and Geelong Fast Rail will also use this corridor.

In 2014, the Government promised to remove 50 level crossings by 2022 – an election commitment built on in 2018 when we promised to remove 75 by 2025.

Today's announcement means we're removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings by 2030.

Commuters in Spotswood will benefit from a brand-new train station, giving them the most modern and accessible facilities – rejuvenating the station precinct for locals and creating safer and more direct links between public transport, local shops and parking.

Early assessments indicate the level crossing at Hudsons Road, Spotswood is likely to be removed by building an elevated rail bridge.

At Maidstone Street, a road bridge will be built to avoid disrupting important utilities and maintain connections for this industrial area.

Two level crossings will be closed as part of the project, at Anderson Street, Yarraville, and Champion Road, Newport.

Anderson Street in Yarraville is one of the most dangerous level crossings in Victoria. It has been the site of a tragic fatality, alongside numerous injuries and near misses.

Replacing the level crossing with a rail bridge or trench is not feasible due to the tightness of the rail corridor, significant heritage impacts and the nearby Somerville Road overpass and Francis Street underpass impeding grade separation designs.

We'll work with the community to enhance the precinct, ensuring the thousands of pedestrians crossing the line each day can move around safely, through a wide and well-lit underpass, and the level crossing will be closed.

Upgrades to the local road network will allow the level crossing at Champion Road, Newport to be closed, with vehicles able to cross the rail line at nearby Maddox Road, where an elevated rail bridge will be built to remove the level crossing.

A new grade-separated pedestrian crossing will be built at Champion Road, linking to local paths. The local road network will be modified to improve connections between Maddox and Champion Roads.

Removing these dangerous and congested level crossings on the Werribee line is an important step in getting on with Geelong Fast Rail.

Since 2015, the Government has removed 67 level crossings well ahead of schedule, built 37 new and upgraded stations, created 50km of walking and cycling paths, and unlocked 20 MCGs of open space across Melbourne.

You can't trust Matthew Guy's Liberals to deliver transport infrastructure – when last in government they promised a lot but delivered no new major projects. The Liberals have opposed all of the Andrews Labor Government's Big Build and have promised to cut the Suburban Rail Loop and planned level crossing removals.

For more information, visit: levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"We're getting more Victorians home safer and sooner by fixing our number one traffic nightmare. They hold up cars, they slow down trains, they take young lives – they've got to go."

"We've already removed four level crossings on the Werribee line, but there's more to do – so we'll get rid of the remaining five, create more jobs, and make more communities safer."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

"The Werribee line will join the Sunbury, Cranbourne, Pakenham, Lilydale and Frankston lines in being level crossing free by 2030, transforming communities and changing the way people live, work and travel."

"We're also thrilled to be on the way to delivering faster services to Geelong, building on the massive investments already underway on the line, including upgrades for more frequent and reliable services."

Quote attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

"Making the Werribee line level crossing free is massive for our community and builds on the work already delivered on the line, including four dangerous and congested level crossings gone for good."

Quote attributable to Member for Williamstown Melissa Horne

"This is another fantastic investment for the west, and I look forward to seeing these dangerous and congested level crossings gone for good from our community."

Quote attributable to Member for Footscray Katie Hall

"We're closing Anderson Street in Yarraville to provide a safer transport system for pedestrians and commuters. This is an opportunity to future-proof our precinct, and I encourage the community to engage with future consultations and put their views forward for a safer, better Yarraville."

[ozbob]

... We're removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne by 2030. ...

https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1585372854295879681

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/VictorianLabor/status/1585134493220089859

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1585777074022645761

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1585053005808013314

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1585137556613890049

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1585137567464243200

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1587347105991258112

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1596607981822451713

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/levelcrossings/status/1603234334562873344

[ozbob]

Daniel Bowen --> How do they remove level crossings?

... Broadly speaking there are five methods.
They can rebuild the road to go over or under, to avoid touching the rail corridor.Or they can rebuild the rail line to go over or under – which depending on location may also mean a new station.The fifth option? Closure. If the crossing gets light road traffic, and particularly if nearby roads no longer have crossings, sometimes government will simply close the road. In most cases in urban areas, they leave pedestrian/cyclist access, to avoid those users having a long detour.

 So how many of each have been used to remove recent crossings? This surprised me. ...

You cannot view this attachment.

[ozbob]

🚴 Passing through Preston has never been easier! 👏 Big news – the shared use path connecting Bell and Preston stations...

Posted by Level Crossing Removal Project on Tuesday, 10 January 2023

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Things we're saying goodbye to in 2023: level crossings. Here's the next ones to go.

Posted by Dan Andrews on Wednesday, 11 January 2023

[ozbob]

Queensland ... 

[ozbob]

Where does the time go? Hard to believe it's been 7 years since we removed our very first level crossing! 😮 🚉 In...

Posted by Level Crossing Removal Project on Thursday, 19 January 2023

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Full list: The 26 new sky rail projects coming to Melbourne suburbs $

More than half of the 110 level crossings removals finished or planned by the Andrews Government include sections of sky rail.

The preferred mode of eliminating dangerous crossings across Victoria has clearly shifted to elevating rail over road, with 56 projects using that method to separate the state's transport networks.

The next most popular method is to lower rail lines into trenches under roads, which has occurred or will occur 28 times.

Dozens of crossing removals were announced by the Andrews Government prior to November's election, with the promise of some rail lines becoming level crossing free by the end of the decade.

An analysis of the Level Crossing Removal Project website shows that 26 new grade separations being planned are set to elevate train tracks, including at eight crossings on the Upfield line in Brunswick and Parkville, as well as eight along the Frankston line. ...

This article is based on Daniel Bowen's blog article above in this thread

' How do they remove level crossings? '

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/maxxthum/status/1659908569230356481

[ozbob]

Still going gang-busters in the deep south ...

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/big-build-works-heat-winter

Big Build Works Heat Up This Winter

28 May 2023

Works on Victoria's Big Build will heat up over winter with more level crossings gone for good, a new train station set to open and huge progress on major road and rail projects.

In Melbourne's west, Footscray Road will reopen on 15 June after more than 400 massive concrete segments, each weighing 100 tonnes, were lifted into place to build the new elevated road as part of the West Gate Tunnel Project.

To make it easier to get to and from the west, the bridge over the rail lines at Dynon Road will be widened and strengthened to join a new exit ramp from the West Gate Tunnel. To get this done safely, Dynon Road will be closed over the rail lines near CityLink from 16 June for 11 weeks.

The works mean buses will replace trains on the Williamstown, Werribee and Sunbury lines from 9pm on 23 June until the last train on 9 July.

There will also be partial disruptions to the Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo lines from 7 July until the last train on 23 July, and crews from the Metro Tunnel will complete signalling improvement works on the Sunbury and Bendigo lines at the same time.

As part of works to widen the West Gate Freeway from 8 to 12 lanes and rebuild ramps, Geelong Road to the Princes Freeway will be closed from 9pm 16 June to late July.

In Melbourne's southeast, the dangerous and congested level crossings at Neerim Road and Glen Huntly Road, Glen Huntly will officially be gone for good and the new Glen Huntly Station will open in early August.

These will mark the Andrews Labor Government's 71st and 72nd level crossing removals, along with the 42nd new or upgraded station.

To get the work done at Glen Huntly, buses will replace trains on sections of the Frankston Line from 9pm 2 June until early August. There will also be changes to tram services and road closures in the area throughout winter, so locals are asked to plan ahead and allow extra time.

On the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, buses replace trains on sections of the lines at times from May to August. On weekdays buses will run between the Arts Centre, Caulfield and Moorabbin, and on weekends buses will run between South Yarra, Caulfield and Moorabbin – and passengers are asked to check for changes before they travel.

From Watsonia to Bulleen, major works are underway on North East Link to prepare for tunnelling from 2024. There will be occasional lane closures on Greensborough Road, Macleod as crews continue to work towards the arrival of the tunnel boring machines later this year.

Works on the Gippsland Line Upgrade will progress when coaches replace trains for three weeks in May and June. Signal construction work will take place between Nar Nar Goon and Warragul, and between Moe and Traralgon.

Coaches replace Gippsland Line trains at times on parts of the line from 26 to 31 May, and between Southern Cross and Bairnsdale from the evening of 2 to 25 June.

Yarra Trams will be focusing their attention on the busy intersection of Spencer and Collins streets, replacing tracks and maintaining overhead power cables from 10pm 30 June to 10 July. For passengers on routes 11, 12, 48, 96 and 109, no trams will run between Batman Park and Southern Cross, and Victoria Harbour and the corner of Collins and Elizabeth streets. Spencer Street will also be closed between Flinders Lane and Francis Street, and Collins Street will be closed between King Street and Aurora Lane.

The Labor Government's $100 billion program of Big Build works is helping the economy, creating more than 50,000 jobs and transforming the way Victorians travel.

To find out more about the Big Build works and to check before you travel, visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

"We're getting on with our massive amount of works on Victoria's Big Build this winter – with projects like the West Gate Tunnel and Metro Tunnel really taking shape to transform the way Victorians travel."

"While these works take place there will be disruptions on the road and rail network – so we encourage passengers and motorists to plan their journey and allow extra travel time."

[ozbob]

^ I am hoping my planned visit to Melbourne 15th - 24th August 2023 will fall between the ' Winter Big Build ' and no doubt  - the ' Summer Big Build '.

Be good to check out Glenhuntly level crossing removal.  Planned to be finished early August 

October 2022

[ozbob]

Premier of Victoria

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/saying-goodbye-more-level-crossings-sooner

Saying Goodbye To More Level Crossings Sooner

8th June 2023

The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with removing level crossings across Melbourne, with works along the Melton, Sunbury and Frankston lines fast-tracked to ease congestion and cut travel times sooner.

The Labor Government has already removed 70 level crossings – and with the program more than a year ahead of schedule, the next crossing removals can be brought forward so communities can see the benefits of better flowing traffic, safer road and rail transport, new train stations and more community open space even sooner.

In Melbourne's outer west, removing four dangerous and congested level crossings by 2026 will pave the way for more train services with 50 per cent more capacity along the Melton line – catering to the second-fastest growing community in Australia.

Removing boom gates at gates Coburns Road, Exford Road and Ferris Road in Melton, and at Hopkins Road in Truganina, will unclog the roads for more than 73,000 vehicles each day – with the boom gates down and causing traffic frustration for up to 28 minutes in the morning peak as 16 trains pass along the corridor.

By 2026 – two years ahead of schedule – Melton will be boom gate-free, with a new, modern Melton Station to suit a growing population and allow nine-car VLocity trains to run along the corridor by 2028, when the Melton Line Upgrade is complete.

The level crossing removals will ease road congestion and improve access for trucks travelling around this industrial area.

On the Sunbury line, crossings at the Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road in Diggers Rest are also being fast-tracked, with road bridges to be built at both locations by 2025 - a year earlier than planned.

Communities in the south-east will also see their level crossings gone ahead of schedule – with Aspendale's Station Street, and Bear Street and McDonald Street in Mordialloc to go by 2026, three years faster than expected.

The McDonald Street and Station Street crossings will be removed with elevated rail, allowing the Bear Street level crossing to be closed to traffic – reducing the length of boom gate downtime when the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025, with more services running along the Frankston Line.

The Labor Government is removing 110 level crossings across Melbourne by 2030 – making the Frankston, Cranbourne, Pakenham, Lilydale, Sunbury and Werribee lines level crossing free.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

"We haven't wasted a moment getting rid of 70 dangerous and congested level crossings, and we're not slowing down – with more crossings across Melbourne fast-tracked and delivering community benefits years ahead of schedule."

"We're focused on getting Victorians where they need to be, by car and by train, even faster than we promised."

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/level-crossing-removal-works-ramping-melbournes-east

Level Crossing Removal Works Ramping Up In Melbourne's East

05 July 2023

The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with removing three dangerous and congested level crossings in Melbourne's outer east, with major construction now underway in Croydon, Ringwood and Ringwood East.

Piling rigs have arrived on site to lay concrete foundations for the next stage of construction, with the Coolstore Road crossing in Croydon, Dublin Road crossing in Ringwood East and Bedford Road crossing in Ringwood to be a thing of the past by 2025.

Croydon's brand-new transport hub will see new road connections and a new rail bridge replace the Coolstore Road level crossing, and a new elevated station linking to a streamlined bus interchange.

The 105-tonne piling rig at Croydon Station will dig 28 holes up to 35 metres deep – equivalent to a 10-storey building – to be filled with more than 1,000 cubic metres of concrete that will support the rail bridge.

At Dublin Road, two piling rigs have started digging the 575 holes needed to support the walls of the 650-metre-long rail trench and a new Ringwood East Station.

Piling works will begin early next year at Bedford Road, in preparation for the rail line to be lowered into a 380-metre-long trench, and a new walking and cycling path will be built to connect the Heathmont Rail Trail to Bedford Park, alongside the Belgrave line.

A construction blitz across all three level crossing sites in August will see crews work around the clock to upgrade critical signalling systems and dig foundations.

Removing the Coolstore Road, Dublin Road and Bedford Road level crossings will ease congestion for the 34,000 vehicles that travel through them each day.

The Lilydale Line will be level crossing free by 2025, while the Belgrave Line will be level crossing free between Ferntree Gully and the city – changing the way people live, work and travel.

Quote attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"We've already removed 70 of these congested death traps, now we're starting construction to build two new stations and remove three more dangerous level crossings at Croydon and Ringwood – bringing the Lilydale Line one step closer to being level-crossing free by 2025."

Quote attributable to Acting Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Ben Carroll

"These projects will allow people in the east to get home safer and sooner, while creating thousands of jobs during construction."

Quote attributable to Member for North-Eastern Metropolitan Region Sonja Terpstra

"Getting rid of these level crossings will ease congestion and make it safer for people to move around, transforming the way our communities travel."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RailExpressNews/status/1680731551691317248

Impressive stuff they be doing in the big V.

As it was October 2022.  My most recent visit.

[ozbob]

Daniel Bowen blog --> Glen Huntly grade separation progress

Glen Huntly Road has re-opened to traffic and trams following the level crossing removal, though trains are still a few weeks from resuming. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TrueBelievers15/status/1684739070138974208

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1685484696464211968

[ozbob]

update ... 

https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project

Level Crossings removed since 2015:

Melbourne 72 (seventy two) 
[110 to be removed by 2030]

Brisbane 0 (zero)

[ozbob]

Posted by Robert Dow on Monday, 31 July 2023