Vic Labor Government fast-tracking rail projects to win next election ...

[ozbob]

Leader --> Politics expert Dr Nick Economou says Labor Government fast-tracking rail projects to win next election

THE Labor Government is fast-tracking the four huge projects along the inner south rail corridors, in order to win the next state election, experts say.

Level crossing removals at Bentleigh, Ormond and McKinnon railway stations; the impending sky rail for the Pakenham/Cranbourne line; and the new railway station at Southland are all being done under the Andrews Labor government. A sky rail option is also being considered along the Frankston line.

The Liberals claimed the Bentleigh, Carrum, Mordialloc and Frankston seats from Labor in the 2010 state election, and took government.

Then in 2014 Labor won all four seats back; a trend widely attributed to voters' dissatisfaction with public transport.

Monash University politics expert Dr Nick Economou said there was "no doubt" the rail works were politically motivated, and Labor were moving quickly to finish works ahead of the next election.

"The Labor Party has seized on the idea it's a can-do government, and are promoting public transport rather than building freeways," Dr Economou said.

"Presumably they think delivering on public transport will deliver votes; we shall see."

He said he was "struck at how quickly these major construction works" could be done and if completed, said he was sure Labor would "make a big song and dance about it".

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said the State Government seemed "keen to paint themselves as all action" and have the works completed before the next state election.

Mr Bowen, a Bentleigh resident, said while he was sure the rail works were politically motivated, a number of the level crossings had been problem areas for years. "So it does make sense to get them done soon," Mr Bowen said.

"There's a lot of benefits from these projects whether you're a road user or a train user. But the disruption during (long-term) construction needs to be minimised and communication needs to be really good."

He said for people who commuted daily the works could be "very frustrating", but there were plenty of people who couldn't wait for the upgrades.

"At the end of the day the upgrades are good. Some of the level crossings are being removed now, hopefully this continues across Melbourne."

Leader of the Opposition Matthew Guy said level crossings needed to go.

"They are a relic of the past, but this project needs to be done right and it needs to be done properly."

Public transport minister Jacinta Allen did not respond before deadline.
What's happening

Bentleigh, Ormond and McKinnon level crossing removal

All three rail lines put under road

McKinnon Station is now open, with Ormond and Bentleigh stations opening late August

The entire project will be finished by the end of 2016

Sky rail

Nine level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong to be removed and five new stations at Carnegie, Murrumbeena, Hughesdale, Clayton and Noble Park

Carnegie and Murrumbeena station carparks have now closed

Carnegie and Murrumbeena stations will shut on August 29 and reopen September 26

The $1.6 billion project is expected to be finished in 2018

Southland Station

Construction started last week on an underpass to connect the platforms of the planned new Southland railway station

The station will be built between Highett and Cheltenham stations on the Frankston line at Southland shopping centre

The $21 million project is expected to be completed by the end of 2017

Frankston line

There are a total 30 level crossings on the Frankston line

Planning is now underway to remove eight level crossings between Cheltenham and Frankston

The government says those crossings will all be removed by 2018 — election year

[ozbob]

Errr ... that's what Governments should be doing, actually delivering not just spinning about it ( Queensland take note! )

[#Metro]

Amazing how much can be done when you sell/lease assets