A $1 billion investment will get eight dangerous and congested level crossings in Melbourne’s North removed, including four along the Upfield line and four along the Mernda line in the areas of Coburg, Brunswick and Preston.
“This is part of a huge investment in the inner north creating jobs and better connections for those living and working in these communities,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said.
The eight level crossing cater to approximately 150,000 vehicles daily and boom gates are down for 40 per cent of the two-hour morning peak.
An elevated rail design will be replacing the eight level crossings, with the crossings at Bell, Reynard and Munro Streets in Coburg as well as on Moreland Road in Brunswick to be gone by next year. Meanwhile, major construction to raise a section of the Mernda line is set to begin in 2020 to remove the level crossings at Murray Road, Bell Street, Cramer Street and Oakover Road in Preston.
“Removing these four level crossings in Preston will make a huge improvement to people’s lives. It will mean no more huge waits at peak hour and will unite East and West Preston as one suburb,” Member for Preston Robin Scott said.
The billion-dollar investment will also deliver new stations at Coburg, Moreland, Preston and Bell while preserving the heritage-listed station buildings at Coburg and Moreland. The local communities at Coburg and Brunswick will be invited to provide their feedback regarding the new stations as well as the new open space and Upfield Bike Path upgrades.
An elevated rail design will minimise disruption during construction and will create new open space in Preston.
“The community is excited about the change removing these dangerous and congested level crossings will make to how we move around these precincts, as well as the new opportunities for open space,” Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous said.
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Source: Premier of Victoria; Level Crossing Removal Project; Rail Page
