The Andrews Labor Government will remove more level crossings on the Sunbury line by 2025, boosting safety and easing congestion for train passengers and local motorists.
Since 2016, the Labor Government has removed three level crossings on the Sunbury line and built two new stations – and the removal of Gap Road in Sunbury is underway.
But there is more to do – so the level crossing at Calder Park Drive, Calder Park will go, allowing more trains more often and supporting small business and hundreds of jobs as our economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. The nearby Holden Road crossing in Calder Park will be closed, easing congestion and boosting safety in the area.
The Sunbury line is already level crossing free between Watergardens and the City, and removing more will boost safety, reduce congestion and allow more trains to run on the line without frustrating boom gate delays.
With work underway at more than 20 sites across Melbourne and one crossing being removed on average every four weeks in 2021, it makes sense to get rid of this extra level crossing while crews are already on the ground. It will maximise efficiencies and means more level crossings can go sooner.
These removals will support local businesses and create new jobs while also giving people across Melbourne better access to work, healthcare services, education and recreation.
Early investigations suggest the most likely design to remove the Calder Park Drive crossing is a road bridge over the rail line, but technical engineers will continue to assess and refine this option before finalising designs.
Nearly 11,000 vehicles travel through this crossing each day and, frustratingly, the boom gates can be down for up to 21 per cent of the morning peak, when up to 25 trains run through this crossing. More trains will run more often on the Sunbury line when the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025, which would mean even more boom gate downtime.
Passengers on the Sunbury line will get huge benefits over the coming years, with the $2.1 billion Sunbury Line Upgrade installing next-generation capacity signalling and extending platforms for bigger trains. Together with the Metro Tunnel, these upgrades will make room for 113,000 extra peak hour passengers along the line each weekday.
The level crossing removal at Calder Park Drive is part of an additional 10 level crossing removals across Melbourne announced by the Andrews Labor Government. Construction on these next 10 level crossing removals – which will bring the total number of level crossings gone for good to 85 – will begin by 2022 and will be delivered by 2025.
Since 2016, the Government has removed 46 level crossings, built 26 new and upgraded stations, delivered 30km of bike paths, created more than 5,000 jobs and is creating around 20 MCGs of open space and for local communities across Melbourne to enjoy.
For more information about the new level crossing removals and preferred solutions, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“Every Victorian knows the dinging sound of boom gates coming down and the frustration that comes with it, that’s why we’re getting rid of them – saving lives, easing congestion and getting you home sooner.”
“We’ve already removed 46 level crossings well ahead of schedule. These extra sites will give a boost to our economy after the pandemic and support hundreds of jobs.”
As stated by Member for Sydenham Natalie Hutchins
“We’re thrilled to have yet another level crossing gone for good on the Sunbury line, busting congestion for motorists and boosting safety for the local community.”
