The Victorian Government has announced that the congested and dangerous level crossing at Toorak Road in Kooyong is set to be removed to get rid of a major bottleneck at one of Melbourne’s busiest intersections.
“This entire area comes to a standstill every morning and afternoon peak when the boom gates are down - that’s why we’re getting rid of them.
“We’re removing this dangerous level crossing for good, making local streets safer, and less congested, and delivering more open space for this local community,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
Geotechnical and engineering assessments have commenced in December 2018 as part of early planning works for the Toorak Road Level Crossing Removal project. The assessments helped in determining the best way to remove the level crossing.
To replace the level crossing, a new rail bridge is going to be constructed as it is the best solution because it will take less time to build, meaning less disruption to the local community and to commuters. A rail bridge will also mean less disruption to major underground utility services in the area.
In addition, a rail bridge will bring other benefits to the local community such as improved pedestrian and cycling connections, a new open space, less disruptions and it will limit the loss of trees.
With a rail bridge taking the place of the Toorak Road level crossing, replacing train services with buses during construction is avoided on the busy Glen Waverley line - which caters to up to 160,000 people each week.
“Traffic backs up for hundreds of metres, causing long delays even for motorists who aren’t crossing it. Removing it will slash travel times for tens of thousands of Victorians every day,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said.
Major construction to remove the Toorak Road level crossing is expected to commence later in 2019, with completion due for 2021. The project is also anticipated to support hundreds of jobs during construction.
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Source: Premier of Victoria; Level Crossing Removal Project; ABC News