The Andrews Labor Government is further improving safety in Melbourne's south-east with the Brunt Road level crossing soon to be gone for good.
Removing this level crossing will improve safety, reduce congestion and allow more trains to run, more often on the Pakenham line.
The boom gates at Brunt Road are down for up to 20 per cent of the morning peak, when 24 trains run through the crossing, causing significant traffic delays for the 8,400 vehicles that use the crossing each day. There have also been two near misses and one collision at the Brunt Road level crossing since 2012.
Early designs have been released of the new road bridge, which will be built alongside the existing Brunt Road level crossing. The road bridge design means the crossing can be removed sooner, and construction will be less disruptive for road and rail users.
A shared user path and separate pedestrian path along the road bridge will provide new local connections for the growing community.
To make way for the new road bridge, access to Brunt Road from Kenilworth Avenue and Cooper Beech Road will be closed permanently. Vehicles will still be able to access Brunt Road via Just Joey Drive.
Brunt Road is one of 22 level crossings being removed as part of the $15 billion Pakenham line upgrade. Crossings at Webb Street, Narre Warren and Station Street, Beaconsfield are among the next tranche of removals.
There are 9 more to go by 2025 to make the Pakenham line level crossing-free, with 13 sets of boom gates already gone for good. With no level crossings on the train line, journeys will be faster and local roads safer, changing the way people live, work and travel.
The upgrade of the Pakenham line also includes new high-capacity trains and the Metro Tunnel Project, which will create room for 120,000 more passengers on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines during peak periods.
Over the coming months, crews on the ground will continue with site investigations for the Brunt Road level crossing removal ahead of early works, which will start at the end of the year. Major construction is scheduled to begin in 2023, with the new road bridge opened and level crossing gone for good by 2025.
The community are being asked to have their say on the project by visiting engage.vic.gov.au by Monday 20 June.
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
"Removing this dangerous and congested level crossing will improve travel for locals, creating a safer and smoother journey - taking us one step closer to getting rid of every level crossing on the Pakenham line."
"We are transforming Melbourne's busiest train line, with nine more level crossings to go by 2025, and 13 already a thing of the past."
As stated by Member for Eastern Victoria Region Harriet Shing
"The Beaconsfield and Officer communities have been calling for the removal of this dangerous level crossing for some time, and I'm thrilled we are getting on with the job. It's a big win for the local community."
