The Allan Labor Government has made Reservoir's boom gates at Keon Parade a thing of the past - as Melbourne's 77th dangerous and congested level crossing is gone for good.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson today announced that Keon Parade has reopened after 14 days of work from a crew of 250 workers, with trains now returning to the Mernda Line.
The new rail bridges will improve the journeys for more than 18,000 vehicles travelling through the level crossing each weekday, where the boom gates were down for more than 41 minutes during the morning peak.
Removing 77 level crossings across Melbourne has saved motorists more than 50 hours of boom gate down time during the morning peak every day.
Designed with safety and convenience in mind, the new Keon Park Station will open on the south side of Keon Parade on Friday, 21 June, with works now continuing as trains travel above the road.
The new Keon Park Station precinct will provide easier access to the station, new local connections for the community and convenient access to shops and public transport - giving passengers improved connections between train, bus and taxi, along with secure bike storage and a pick-up and drop-off zone all within the precinct.
Although the station will open to passengers next month, works around the station precinct will continue over the coming months, including reinstating more than 160 car spaces and planting 44,500 shrubs and grasses and 220 trees around the station.
In the lead up to the station opening, a shuttle bus will run between Ruthven and Thomastown to connect Keon Park passengers with trains.
Works are continuing at pace across Melbourne to remove another seven level crossings before the end of the year, with 110 to go by 2030.
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson
"Since 2015 we've removed 77 dangerous and congested level crossings and as our record shows, we're getting it done all around Melbourne."
"We're making Melbourne's northern suburbs easier and safer to get around and removing the Keon Parade level crossing will help thousands of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists get to where they need to be safer and quicker."
As stated by Member for Preston Nathan Lambert
"I'd like to thank everyone for their patience as these critical works were carried out on Keon Parade - and the community will no longer be delayed by bells and boom gates."
As stated by Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny
"Removing the level crossing at Keon Parade will make a huge difference to locals in our area. I'm so glad we've seen the back of it now."
