The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with removing two more of Melbourne's most dangerous and congested level crossings on the Lilydale line - making it boom-gate free by 2025.
The two-level crossings at Mont Albert Road in Mont Albert and Union Road in Surrey Hills have been fast-tracked for removal and will both be gone for good by next year - by lowering the rail line into an open trench beneath the roads and building a new premium station between Mont Albert and Surrey Hills.
The crossings both impede the flow of more than 22,000 motorists each day, with the boom gates down for up to 40 per cent of the morning peak. The level crossing in Surrey Hills was the site of a tragic incident that resulted in two fatalities in 2016, and both sites have recorded at least eight near misses.
The boom-gate removals will improve safety and ease congestion, as well as create more frequent and reliable services for the more than 72,000 passengers who use the Belgrave and Lilydale lines each weekday - the second busiest on Melbourne's network.
Construction will soon begin to remove the level crossings, while crews will also start to move and upgrade signalling, power and communication lines along the rail corridor to pave the way for the new 1.3-kilometre-long rail trench to be built between Mont Albert and Surrey Hills. Digging will also commence at Lorne Parade Reserve for the lowering of a major water main 9.6 metres below ground.
Buses will replace trains between Lilydale and Ringwood stations from Monday 14 February to Wednesday 16 February, as works progress throughout the area. There will also be replacement bus services between Camberwell and Box Hill stations from Friday 25 March to Friday 1 April, and between Camberwell and Ringwood from 8:30pm Friday 1 April to Sunday 3 April.
More than 52,000 trees, plants and shrubs will also be planted as part of the project, while new paths and cycling links will also be developed through Lorne Parade Reserve.
The Lilydale Line will be level crossing free by 2025, paving the way for more services more often for commuters in Melbourne's outer east. The Labor Government is getting rid of 85 level crossings across Melbourne by 2025, with 56 already gone for good.
More information about the project can be found online at levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
"Works will get underway to ensure two more of Melbourne's most notorious level crossings on the Lilydale line are gone for good - including at Union Road in Surrey Hills - which was tragically the site of two fatalities in 2016."
"The Lilydale Line will be boom-gate free by 2025 - improving travel times and creating safer journeys for locals in the area - by never being stuck at the level crossings again."
As stated by Member for Box Hill Paul Hamer
"We're making the area safer and less congested by getting rid of these two-level crossings - taking away the lottery of waiting at the boom gates."
