Dangerous and congested level crossings are fast becoming a thing of the past in Melbourne, with Union Road, Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert marking the 69th and 70th removed by the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today visited the fast-tracked new Union Station to see the new 1.3-kilometre rail trench, which will ease congestion and make driving safer in the heart of the two suburbs.
The level crossings at Union Road and Mont Albert Road were two of Melbourne's deadliest level crossings after two women died at Union Road in 2016 when their car was struck by a train.
The boom gates were down for up to 40 per cent of the morning peak, when 61 trains pass through every weekday.
Since 2015, around 31 MCGs of open space has been unlocked and 56 kilometres of walking and cycling tracks have been created for communities to enjoy as a result of level crossing removals.
The Labor Government has also delivered 41 new and upgraded train stations across Melbourne, ensuring commuters have access to a modern train network that will serve them for generations to come.
Lilydale Line trains will resume this week, marking the first passenger services to use the new rail trench and modern Union Station.
A new timetable will be rolled out from Sunday 28 May, with three extra services stopping at Union Station during the morning and afternoon, weekday peaks.
In total, the Labor Government is removing 110 level crossings across Melbourne, with 70 already gone for good, transforming travel across the city.
As stated by Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
"We haven't wasted a single minute in consigning 70 dangerous and congested level crossings to history, more than a year ahead of schedule, reducing congestion across Melbourne and making our roads safer."
"The Union Road and Mont Albert Road level crossings have been removed two years ahead of schedule and we're closer than ever to delivering a boom gate-free Lilydale line."
As stated by Member for Box Hill Paul Hamer
"We'd like to thank the community for their patience while crews worked around the clock since February to get rid of these dangerous and congested level crossings and build the new Union Station, making Surrey Hills and Mont Albert even better places to live."
