Sixty-five of Melbourne's dangerous and congested level crossings are now gone for good thanks to the Andrews Labor Government, with traffic this morning flowing over a new 70-metre road bridge at Fitzgerald Road, Ardeer.
The new road bridge - opened six months ahead of schedule - will reduce travel time, improve safety and create better local connections for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
Removing 65 level crossings since 2015 has saved more than 40 hours of boom gate down time in the morning peak each weekday, delivered 35 new and upgraded stations and unlocked more than 14 MCGs worth of open space, improving communities all over the city.
This milestone has been achieved more than a year ahead of schedule, smashing the original timeline to get rid of 50 level crossings by the end of 2022. More than 71 million hours have been worked across this city-changing project, with around 5500 people currently working on level crossing removals, supporting secure jobs in many industries.
Soon, the west will become even safer and less congested, when the Robinsons Road level crossing is removed with a road underpass in September, months ahead of the 2023 commitment.
Together with the Mount Derrimut Road, Deer Park level crossing, there have been 18 near misses at the three locations since 2012. The boom gates at Mt Derrimut Road can be down for up to 60 per cent of the morning peak, while the boom gates at Fitzgerald and Robinsons Road can be down for up to 45 per cent.
When all three level crossings are gone for good by 2024, the Geelong and Ballarat lines will be level crossing free between Deer Park and the city.
Over the coming months, works will ramp up to remove the Robinsons Road and Mt Derrimut Road level crossings, and road users are asked to plan ahead while crews safely get the work done. At Fitzgerald Road, works will continue to improve local walking and cycling connections with new shared use paths and more than 150,000 trees, plants and shrubs to be installed before the end of the year.
As part of Victoria's Big Build, the Andrews Labor Government is investing more than $27 billion in roads and rail infrastructure in Melbourne's west and north west, including 15 level crossing removals.
The Metro Tunnel, Suburban Rail Loop, Sunbury Line Upgrade, Melbourne Airport Rail, West Gate Tunnel and upgrades to local arterials will significantly improve the way Melburnians get around each day by reducing travel times, improving safety and reliability, and builds on the 55 new and upgraded stations we've delivered.
The Labor Government is removing 85 level crossings across Melbourne by 2025, with 65 gone for good, boosting safety and easing congestion.
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
"We're smashing our target for level crossings and we're thrilled to see the 65th dangerous and congested level crossing gone for good, improving safety and easing congestion in Melbourne's booming west.
"Removing the Fitzgerald Road and Robinsons Road level crossings ahead of schedule means safer local roads and safer train services for Geelong and Ballarat line passengers, Victoria's fastest growing and busiest regional rail corridors."
As stated by Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman
"We're delighted to see the new road bridge at Fitzgerald Road open ahead of schedule - a real win for the community that will improve local connections and make the area safer for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists."
As stated by Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly
"We thank the community for their patience while these important works have been taking place in their area and thrilled to deliver these huge benefits for locals and visitors to the area."
