The dangerous and congested level crossing on Clyde Road in Berwick is officially gone for good with motorists now traveling underneath the new rail bridge - the 58th level crossing removed by the Andrews Labor Government.
The new rail bridge reduces congestion and improves safety for the 22,000 vehicles that travelled through the level crossing each day, with the boom gates down for around a third of the two-hour morning peak, delaying people travelling to and from the Princes and Monash freeways.
The project also includes new open space and the development of a new shared use path, which opened to the community today. The path runs from the new Berwick Station bus interchange at Enterprise Avenue, providing better walking and cycling links to nearby residential, health and education precincts.
The new Berwick Station bus interchange - which will double the number of bus bays and improve accessibility for passengers - is scheduled for completion later this year. The southern car park at the station remains closed, with some northern car parks also expected to be closed throughout February as construction ramps up in the area.
More than 37,000 trees, plants and shrubs will also be planted as part of the project, including oak trees to provide shade and wind protection.
The Clyde Road level crossing is the 12th to be removed along the Pakenham line, with 10 more to go to make it boom-gate free by 2025, paving the way for more services more often for commuters in Melbourne's south east.
The Labor Government is getting rid of 85 level crossings across Melbourne by 2025, with 58 now gone for good.
More information about the project can be found online at: https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/projects/clyde-road-berwick.
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
"We promised to remove this dangerous and congested level crossing on Clyde Road by building a new rail bridge - and that's exactly what we've done."
"Today, the Berwick community will benefit from never being stuck at the level crossing again - with improved travel times and safer journeys as they travel throughout the area."
As stated by Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas
"This is a great day for the community - with the level crossing on Clyde Road in Berwick officially gone for good and motorists now traveling underneath the new rail bridge - improving safety and slashing travel times throughout the area."
