Melbourne’s south east regions - Lyndhurst, Cranbourne West and Lynbrook - will soon benefit from a $1 billion road and rail package of works, with the delivery of the Evans Road level crossing removal fast-tracked.
Construction on the new road bridge to replace the level crossing at Evans Road is anticipated to commence this year and completed by 2020.
Evans Road at the level crossing has been closed to traffic since 2005 and major upgrades to intersections at Evans Road, Hallam Road and South Gippsland Highway as well as the removal of the crossing will enable Evans Road to reopen.
Reopening Evans Road will mean that motorists will be able to travel to South Gippsland Highway four times faster and it will also reconnect the communities of Lyndhurst, Cranbourne and Lynbrook.
“Our local community is one of the fastest growing communities in Victoria so we’re getting on with these vital upgrades that will cater for locals now and well into the future,” Member for Cranbourne Pauline Richards said.
In addition, the removal of the level crossing will complement a number of upgrades being done on the Cranbourne Line, boosting rail and road capacity.
The Cranbourne Line still has three more level crossing to be removed at Webster Street, Camms Road and Greens Road. Once all three remaining level crossings are removed, the Cranbourne Line is going to be the first rail line in the region to be level crossing-free.
Duplication of approximately eight kilometres of track between Dandenong and Cranbourne is one step closer to construction with site investigations now underway. This duplication project will enable trains to run every 10 minutes as well as make it possible to extend the rail line to Clyde.
“We’re getting on with the job of removing the last four remaining dangerous and congested level crossings to help people get home sooner and safer.
“Removing the remaining level crossings and duplicating the line will pave the way for more trains, more often, “ Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said.
Other works to improve congestion in Melbourne’s south east will include the upcoming opening of 4.3 kilometres of new lanes on Thompsons Road between Dandenong - Frankston Road and Lyndhurst Boulevard together with the new signalised intersection at Westernport Highway.
Once all road works are completed and the twin three-lane bridges over Cranbourne Line have opened, motorists travelling along the route should be able to experience safer and more reliable journeys.
This project will also fast track the delivery of safety improvements on one of Melbourne’s most dangerous intersections once traffic lights have been installed at the Dandenong - Frankston Road in 2020.
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Source: Premier of Victoria; Railpage; Infrastructure Magazine; Level Crossing Removal Project