Only a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will keep removing our most dangerous and congested level crossings, with another 25 set to be consigned to history.
Every Victorian has their own story of level crossing frustration, whether you’re in the car, on the train, on a bike or on foot. For many, they’re more than a frustration – they’re the scene of a serious injury or, tragically, the place where a loved one was lost forever.
Before being elected, we promised to remove 20 crossings by 2018, despite only 10 being removed in the decade prior. The Andrews Labor Government has now consigned 29 level crossings to the history books, with 50 set to go ahead of 2022.
Because of our fast progress, we can now look to remove more of the dozens of level crossings that are slowing down our state and putting lives at risk.
A re-elected Labor Government will remove an additional 25 level crossings by 2025.
These crossings – bringing Labor’s crossing removals to 75 – have been selected through a rigorous analysis by experts at the Level Crossing Removal Authority and Transport for Victoria.
The criteria for removal has identified the next 25 priority sites across Melbourne based on congestion, construction adjacency, local access, and safety. Only Labor will remove them all.
One level crossing will be gone in Mont Albert and another in Surrey Hills, including Mont Albert Road and the deadly Union Road, making the Belgrave/Lilydale lines crossing-free between Ringwood and the City.
Five additional crossings on the Frankston line – in addition to the 11 completed or underway – will be removed, including the congested crossings at Glenhuntly and Neerim Road in Glenhuntly, and three crossings in Chelsea – removed by lowering the rail under the road.
On the Upfield line an extra two level crossings will be removed, at Munro Street and Reynard Street and Moreland Rd in Coburg, while the Mernda line will see three additional crossings removed in addition to Bell Street in Preston. Both lines will have the rail line elevated with the community gaining new open space and stations.
The crossing in the middle of Sunbury town centre will be gone forever under Labor, as well as the crossing at Old Geelong Road in Hoppers Crossing.
Eleven more crossings set for removal under Labor will be announced in coming weeks, with the 25 additional sites to cost $6.6 billion, made possible by Labor’s strong budget surpluses.
As noted by Premier Daniel Andrews
“We said that we would remove the dangerous and congested level crossings that frustrate you every day – and we have. But we won’t stop there – with 25 more to go across Melbourne.”
“Whether it’s removing level crossings, or building the Suburban Rail Loop – only Labor will make our roads less congested and get you home to your family safer and sooner.”
As noted by Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“We’ve removed 29 level crossings, added hundreds of extra services and we’re building the Metro Tunnel. Only Labor can be trusted to build the real projects Victorians need.”
“No Government has ever removed this many level crossings this quickly – reducing congestion, improving public transport, saving lives and creating thousands of jobs along the way.”
