Two congested and dangerous level crossings in Victoria’s South East are set to be removed, with works to commence soon. The level crossings at Clyde Road, Berwick and Cardinia Road, Pakenham will join the numerous level crossings already removed or under construction.
“One by one, we’re getting rid of every single level crossing in Pakenham - freeing up space to run more trains and helping people get home safer and sooner,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said.
The two level crossings cater to a total of 45,000 vehicles each day with boom gates down up to one-third of the two-hour peak in the morning, making the removal of the level crossings vital to improving traffic flow in both areas.
Works on the Clyde Road level crossing is anticipated to begin in 2020, with it permanently gone by 2022.
Currently, this level crossing causes delays for ambulances travelling towards Casey Hospital and to locals making their way to schools and tertiary institutions in the area. With the Clyde Road level crossing located on a key arterial road, it also causes congestion on the Princes and Monash freeways.
“These crossings clog up local roads and cause traffic chaos around schools, universities, hospitals - it’s time for them to go,” Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas said.
On the other hand, works to remove the Cardinia Road level crossing is set to begin in late 2019 and due to be completed by the end of 2021.
Scope of works will include replacing the level crossing with a road bridge and upgrades to the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines to improve road and rail capacity.
The road-over-rail design for the Cardinia Road level crossing removal will allow works to be done within the road reserve, minimising disruption for both rail and road users in the area.
“Like every other motorist in this area I dread the sound of those boom gates. They’ve got no place in these growing communities and they’ve got to go,” Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale said.
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Source: Premier of Victoria; Level Crossing Removal Project (1, 2, 3, 4)