- Premier
The removal of three dangerous and congested level crossings in Chelsea is being fast-tracked to boost safety, reduce Frankston line disruptions and improve traffic in the south east.
Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan and Member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson in Chelsea today to announce works will happen at the same time as the Edithvale and Bonbeach level crossing removals, with all of them gone for good by the end of 2022.
Fast-tracking the works means much less disruption and inconvenience for locals and passengers, with fewer days of rail closures on the Frankston line.
The works will lower the Frankston line into a trench under Edithvale Road in Edithvale, Thames Promenade and Argyle Avenue in Chelsea, and Bondi Road in Bonbeach. A new direct connection will be created between Thames Promenade and Nepean Highway, linking the Mornington Peninsula Freeway and the future Mordialloc Freeway.
Creating a more direct road network will enable level crossings at Swanpool Avenue and Chelsea Road in Chelsea to be closed. Lochiel Avenue in Edithvale will also close once works are complete. These changes will remove the current congestion hot-spots caused by boom gates and the dangerous dogleg at Chelsea Road.
The boom gate-free intersections along the Nepean will be upgraded with turning lanes, so there is more green time for motorists, improving traffic flow, getting traffic off roads to provide more reliable journey times.
Three new modern stations will be built at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach, creating safer and more direct links between public transport, local shops, parking and the beach. New walking and cycling paths will also be built, making it safer and easier to access the things residents love about their local area.
Work to get rid of the Edithvale, Chelsea, and Bonbeach level crossings and build three new stations will start in mid-2020 and be done by the end of 2022.
Trains will return to the Frankston line tomorrow after an eight-day shutdown. During the shutdown the old Carrum Station was removed and construction of a temporary track was completed so the Frankston line can keep on running while work continues to build a new rail bridge and new station.
These works are part of the massive $3 billion investment on the Frankston line, which includes removing 18 level crossings and building 12 new stations.
As noted by Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews
"Fast-tracking the removal of these dangerous crossings will reduce congestion and disruption, and get locals home safer and sooner."
As noted by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
"Bringing these works forward will mean fewer disruptions for residents, traders, and visitors to Chelsea - plus getting rid of the dangerous dogleg at Chelsea Road will improve congestion and get traffic off local roads."
As noted by the Member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson
"Streamlining connections between the Freeway and the Nepean will have huge benefits for our growing community - now and in the future."
