Removal of the dangerous Anderson Street level crossing in VIC a step closer

The Victorian Government has announced that two new pedestrian underpasses will replace one of Melbourne's most dangerous level crossings on Anderson Street in Yarraville.

Boom gates at this level crossing are down for up to an hour during the morning peak to allow about 50 trains to pass through, and crossing the rail line has been a daily frustration for both cars and pedestrians, including students walking or cycling to school.

This level crossing has also seen a tragic incident as well as four serious injuries since 2006, and 26 near misses since 2016.

Permanently closing this level crossing will not only improve safety at this location, but it will also help enhance the vibrant Yarraville Village and remove future traffic gridlock. Replacing the level crossing with underpasses will also make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists to get around the shopping precinct.

Closing the Anderson Street level crossing to vehicles and providing pedestrian underpasses is the best solution for this location due to its unique design challenges, including a narrow road and rail corridor.

This project will deliver two safe and accessible points of access for the community across the busy rail line, which can cater to people with different mobility needs.

The future Anderson Street underpass will feature stairs and two lifts on either side of the rail line for cyclists and people with prams, mobility aids and wheelchairs. A second underpass will also be built north of the station near Murray and Goulburn streets, in response to community feedback, and it will feature stairs and accessible ramps.

Artist impression of the new pedestrian underpass (source: Victoria's Big Build)

Following extensive community engagement, which include the recent consultation from May to July when locals provided feedback on early designs, the project team will re-engage with the community in September to present information on the chosen design and why other options were ruled out.

A report on the preferred option has also been recently released.

Online community webinars will also be held on 10 September at 5:30pm and on 14 September at 12pm.

In addition, small in-person sessions will be carried out as well to allow locals to meet the project team and ask questions. Each session will be about 25 minutes long, starting from 4:30pm on 17 September and from 9:30am on 19 September.

Community members interested in joining the online and/or in-person sessions are encouraged to register to secure a spot.

The project team is currently reviewing feedback received from the third round of community consultation that ended in July, and will incorporate the feedback in the design where possible.

Consultation so far includes more than 1,200 online survey responses as well as eight community workshops with residents and traders where locals shared their desire to retain the area's village feel.

The Anderson Street level crossing will be permanently closed to vehicles in 2028, and the new underpasses will be completed in 2029.

Source: Victoria's Big Build - Level Crossing Removal Project (1, 2)