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Level Crossing Removal Project

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 136.154.23.253 (talk) at 23:27, 9 March 2022 (→Original 50 crossing removals: 2014–2022). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Level Crossing Removal Program
Project overview
Formed2015
TypeProject team
JurisdictionMelbourne
HeadquartersMelbourne
EmployeesIncrease 382 (June 2018)
Minister responsible
Project executive
  • Kevin Devlin, CEO
Parent departmentDepartment of Transport
Parent authorityMajor Transport Infrastructure Authority
Websitelevelcrossings.vic.gov.au

The Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) is a program of the Government of Victoria, Australia, to remove 85 level crossings in Melbourne. After pledging the removal of 50 level crossings at the 2014 Victorian state election, the Andrews Government committed $2.4 billion in the 2015–2016 budget to remove the first 20 crossings by 2018. The remaining 30 are planned to be completed by 2022 at an estimated cost of $6 billion, which was funded through the privatisation of the Port of Melbourne.[1] Prior to the 2018 state election, the Government committed to remove a further 25 level crossings, using a new prioritisation framework.[2] In 2021 the government announced a further 10 level crossing removals and 4 level crossing closures would occur by 2025, bringing the total planned level crossing removals to 85 by 2025.[3][4] As of September 2021, 47 crossings had been removed and 26 train stations had been rebuilt as part of the project.[3] Previously its own administrative agency, in 2019 the LXRP became a project within the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority, an office of the Victorian Department of Transport.[5]

Background

When Melbourne's railway network was built, because of the city's flat topography and sparse population, many railway crossings were via level crossing rather than bridges or underpasses. As traffic levels increased, these began to become bottlenecks, both for road traffic as well as limiting the number of trains that can be run, especially at peak times. In 1954, the State Government established a committee to look at removal of level crossings at Clifton Hill, Elsternwick, Footscray, Moorabbin, and Newport.[6][7] These projects were completed by 1960.[8]

In 1983, the level crossing at Station Street, Box Hill was removed. Other level crossing removals include Dorset Road, Boronia (1998), Middleborough Road, Laburnum (2007), as well as others.

In the early 2010s, level crossings were removed at Nunawading (2010), Springvale (2014), Sunshine (2014) and Mitcham (2014).[9][10][11]

As of 2014, there were 170 level crossings left on the Melbourne railway network and 228 places where railways had been separated from roads;[12] by the end of the project only 95 level crossings will remain. Over two-thirds of these grade separations were constructed between 1863 and 1918, with fewer than one level crossing removal per year between 1918 and 2015.[12] The commitment by the government to remove fifty level crossings over eight years represented the fastest rate of crossing removals in Melbourne's history.[12]

History

Level Crossing Removal Authority contractors working to remove the level crossing at Centre Road, Bentleigh in July 2016

VicRoads compiled a report of the most dangerous level crossings in Victoria and handed it to the State Government in 2014, which in turn prioritised the top 50 for removal through grade separation projects, honouring a commitment made in its 2014 state election manifesto.[13] Many of the projects also involve the construction of new stations.

In September 2016, the Port of Melbourne lease was concluded providing $9.7 billion into infrastructure and securing funding for the remaining 30 level crossing removals.[14]

A report by the Victorian Auditor General, released in December 2017, found that the level crossing removal project was unlikely to represent value for money for the state. The report criticised the LXRA for its haste in delivering the program, and found that the rapid pace of the project had contributed to a failure to properly assess the merits of each grade separation. The Auditor General stated that the value of the project was compromised by the apparent political motivation for some crossing removals at the expense of more dangerous or congested intersections.[15]

In October 2018, LXRA surpassed the State Government's 2014 election commitment of removing 20 level crossings by 2018, having officially removed 29 crossings.[16] The Andrews Government also committed to removing a further 25 level crossings if it won the 2018 state election, and introduced a new prioritisation framework based on safety, congestion and proximity to emergency services to select the crossings.[2] In 2021 it was announced another 10 level crossings would be removed at a cost of $2.5 billion, with 4 additional level crossings closed and five train stations rebuilt.[4] This would leave the Pakenham and Lilydale lines level-crossing free.[17]

Governance

The Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) was formed in May 2015 as an administrative office of the then-new Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources to deliver the project.[18][19][20]

Later, the LXRA led delivery of other rail projects, including extension of the South Morang railway line to Mernda and upgrades of the Hurstbridge line and Cranbourne line as well as Frankston station. The authority also delivered a new stabling facility north of Wyndham Vale station[21] and train storage at Kananook.[22]

The LXRA was abolished as an independent administrative office following the 2018 state election and its functions were absorbed into the newly formed Major Transport Infrastructure Authority at the Department of Transport.

Public discussion and engagement

There has been much debate surrounding the project specifically the use of above ground structures to replace the level crossings. The term Skyrail has been defined to describe the development of overhead track structures as a solution to the removal of the at grade crossing. Skyrail has been applied to some not all crossing removals. Other solutions included under ground and over road development.

List of crossing removals

Original 50 crossing removals: 2014–2022

Below is the LXRA's list of 50 level crossing removals and 3 additional grade separations that will be gone by 2022:[23]

Line Road Nearest station Solution Status Date of completion
Belgrave Mountain Highway Bayswater Hybrid Completed December 2016[24][25]
Belgrave Scoresby Road Bayswater Rail under Completed December 2016[25]
Belgrave Blackburn Road Blackburn Rail under Completed January 2017
Belgrave Heatherdale Road Heatherdale Rail under Completed January 2017
Craigieburn Buckley Street Essendon Road under Completed September 2018
Craigieburn Glenroy Road Glenroy Rail under Under construction May 2022[26]
Cranbourne Abbotts Road Dandenong Rail over Completed September 2018[27]
Cranbourne Thompsons Road Merinda Park Road over Completed June 2018[28]
Frankston Centre Road Bentleigh Rail under Completed August 2016[29]
Frankston Station Street/Bondi Road Bonbeach Rail under Completed November 2021[30]
Frankston Mascot Avenue Bonbeach Closed off Completed February 2020
Frankston Eel Race Road Carrum Closed off Completed February 2020
Frankston Station Street Carrum Rail over Completed February 2020
Frankston Charman Road Cheltenham Rail under Completed August 2020[31]
Frankston Park Road Cheltenham Rail under Completed August 2020[31]
Frankston Edithvale Road Edithvale Rail under Completed November 2021[30]
Frankston Lochiel Avenue Edithvale Closed off Completed November 2021[30]
Frankston Skye/Overton Road Kananook Rail over Completed June 2018[32]
Frankston McKinnon Road McKinnon Rail under Completed August 2016[29]
Frankston Balcombe Road Mentone Rail under Completed July 2020[31]
Frankston North Road Ormond Rail under Completed August 2016[29]
Frankston Seaford Road Seaford Hybrid Completed September 2018[33]
Glen Waverley Burke Road Gardiner Rail under Completed January 2016[34]
Glen Waverley Toorak Road Tooronga Rail over Completed April 2020
Hurstbridge Grange Road Alphington Rail under Completed May 2018[35]
Hurstbridge Lower Plenty Road Rosanna Rail over Completed May 2018[36]
Lilydale Maroondah Highway Lilydale Rail over Completed November 2021[37]
Lilydale Manchester Road Mooroolbark Rail over Completed November 2021[37]
Mernda Bell Street Bell Rail over Under construction Late 2022[38]
Mernda High Street Reservoir Rail over Completed December 2019
Pakenham Clyde Road Berwick Road under Completed February 2022[39]
Pakenham Grange Road Carnegie Rail over Completed June 2018[40]
Pakenham Koornang Road Carnegie Rail over Completed June 2018[40]
Pakenham Centre Road Clayton Rail over Completed April 2018[41]
Pakenham Clayton Road Clayton Rail over Completed April 2018[41]
Pakenham South Gippsland Highway Dandenong Road over Completed August 2021[42]
Pakenham Hallam Road Hallam Rail over Under construction May 2022
Pakenham Poath Road Hughesdale Rail over Completed June 2018[40]
Pakenham Murrumbeena Road Murrumbeena Rail over Completed June 2018[40]
Pakenham Chandler Road Noble Park Rail over Completed February 2018[43]
Pakenham Corrigan Road Noble Park Rail over Completed February 2018[43]
Pakenham Heatherton Road Noble Park Rail over Completed February 2018[43]
Sunbury Furlong Road Ginifer Rail under Completed November 2016[44]
Sunbury Main Road (West/East) St Albans Rail under Completed November 2016[44]
Sunbury Melton Highway Watergardens Road over Completed January 2018[45]
Upfield Moreland Road Moreland Rail over Completed December 2020[46][47]
Upfield Camp Road Gowrie Rail under Completed December 2017
Upfield Bell Street Coburg Rail over Completed December 2020[46][47]
Werribee Aviation Road Aircraft Road over Completed September 2019[48]
Werribee Cherry Street Werribee Road over Completed March 2021[49]
Werribee Werribee Street Werribee Rail over Completed January 2021[50]
Werribee Kororoit Creek Road Seaholme Rail over Completed July 2018[51]
Williamstown Ferguson Street North Williamstown Rail under Completed December 2021[52]

*Park Road, Cheltenham; Mascot Avenue, Bonbeach and Lochiel Avenue, Edithvale were added to the committed 50 level crossing removals after further consultations. This pushed the number of level crossing removals to 53.

Additional 35 crossing removals: 2022–2025

In addition to the extra 25 crossing removals committed to prior to the 2018 state election, a further 10 removals and 4 closed off were proposed in 2021.[2][53]

Line Road Nearest station Preferred solution [54] Status Date of Completion
Ballarat & Geelong Fitzgerald Road Ardeer Road over Under construction 2023[55]
Ballarat & Geelong Mt Derrimut Road Deer Park Rail over Under construction 2024
Ballarat & Geelong Robinsons Road Deer Park Road under Under construction 2023[55]
Belgrave & Lilydale Mont Albert Road Mont Albert Rail under Under construction 2023
Belgrave & Lilydale Union Road Surrey Hills Rail under Under construction 2023
Belgrave Bedford Road Ringwood Rail under Early planning 2025
Cranbourne Camms Road Cranbourne Road over Under construction 2024[56]
Cranbourne Evans Road Merinda Park Road over Completed October 2020
Cranbourne Greens Road Dandenong Rail over Completed February 2022[56]
Cranbourne & Pakenham Webster Street Dandenong Hybrid Early planning 2025
Frankston Argyle Avenue Chelsea Rail under Completed November 2021[30]
Frankston Chelsea Road Chelsea Hybrid Completed November 2021[30]
Frankston Swanpool Avenue Chelsea Closed off Completed November 2021[30]
Frankston Glen Huntly Road Glenhuntly Rail under Under construction 2024
Frankston Neerim Road Glenhuntly Rail under Under construction 2024
Frankston Parkers Road Parkdale Rail over Early planning 2025
Frankston Warrigal Road Parkdale Rail over Early planning 2025
Lilydale Coolstore Road Croydon Rail over Early planning 2025
Lilydale Cave Hill Road Lilydale Closed off Early planning 2025
Lilydale Dublin Road Ringwood East Rail under Early planning 2025
Mernda Oakover Road Bell Rail over Under construction Late 2022
Mernda Cramer Street Preston Rail over Under construction Late 2022
Mernda Murray Road Preston Rail over Under construction Late 2022
Mernda Keon Parade Keon Park Rail over Early planning 2025
Pakenham Station Street Beaconsfield Road over Early planning 2025
Pakenham Cardinia Road Cardinia Road Road over Completed December 2020
Pakenham Progress Street Dandenong Closed off Early planning 2025
Pakenham Webb Street Narre Warren Rail over Early planning 2025
Pakenham Brunt Road Officer Road over Early planning 2025
Pakenham Station Street Officer Closed off Early planning 2025
Pakenham Main Street Pakenham Rail over Under construction 2024
Pakenham McGregor Road Pakenham Rail over Under construction 2024
Bairnsdale Racecourse Road Pakenham Rail over Under construction 2024
Sunbury Gap Road Sunbury Road under Under construction 2022
Sunbury Calder Park Drive Watergardens Road over Early planning 2025
Sunbury Holden Road Watergardens Closed off Early planning 2025
Upfield Munro Street Coburg Rail over Completed November 2020[38]
Upfield Reynard Street Coburg Rail over Completed November 2020[38]
Werribee Old Geelong Road Hoppers Crossing Road over Completed December 2021[50]

New and rebuilt stations

26 railway stations have been rebuilt as part of the project, with a further 22 planned or under construction. In addition, four new stations have been added to the metropolitan railway network, with a further new station planned at Pakenham East.

Line(s) Station Status Completion date
Ballarat, Geelong Deer Park Planned 2023
Lilydale Croydon Planned 2025
Lilydale Ringwood East Planned 2025
Belgrave Bayswater Open 12 December 2016
Belgrave, Lilydale Heatherdale Open 7 February 2017
Belgrave, Lilydale Mont Albert Planned 2023
Belgrave, Lilydale Surrey Hills Planned 2023
Craigieburn Glenroy Under construction 7 May 2022
Cranbourne Merinda Park Open 13 February 2022
Cranbourne, Pakenham Carnegie Open 18 June 2018
Cranbourne, Pakenham Clayton Open 16 April 2018
Cranbourne, Pakenham Hughesdale Open 25 August 2018
Cranbourne, Pakenham Murrumbeena Open 18 June 2018
Cranbourne, Pakenham Noble Park Open 15 February 2018
Frankston Parkdale Planned 2025
Frankston Bentleigh Open 29 August 2016
Frankston Bonbeach Open 22 November 2021
Frankston Carrum Open 17 February 2020
Frankston Chelsea Open 22 November 2021
Frankston Cheltenham Open 16 August 2020
Frankston Edithvale Open 22 November 2021
Frankston Frankston Open 18 June 2018
Frankston Glenhuntly Planned 2024
Frankston McKinnon Open 1 August 2016
Frankston Mentone Open 20 July 2020
Frankston Ormond Open 29 August 2016
Frankston Southland (new station) Open 26 November 2017
Glen Waverley Gardiner Open 18 January 2016
Hurstbridge Montmorency Under Construction 2022
Hurstbridge Greensborough Under Construction 2022
Hurstbridge Rosanna Open 4 May 2018
Lilydale Lilydale Open 19 November 2021
Lilydale Mooroolbark Open 19 November 2021
Mernda Keon Park Planned 2025
Mernda Bell Under construction 2022
Mernda Hawkstowe (new station) Open 26 August 2018
Mernda Mernda (new station) Open 26 August 2018
Mernda Middle Gorge (new station) Open 26 August 2018
Mernda Preston Under construction 2022
Mernda Reservoir Open 16 December 2019
Pakenham Narre Warren Planned 2025
Pakenham Hallam Under construction 2 May 2022
Pakenham Pakenham Planned 2024
Pakenham Pakenham East (new station) Planned 2024
Sunbury Ginifer Open 1 November 2016
Sunbury St Albans Open 2 November 2016
Upfield Coburg Open 14 December 2020
Upfield Moreland Open 14 December 2020
Williamstown North Williamstown Open 17 December 2021
Melbourne level crossing removals

Notes

References

  1. ^ "About – Level Crossing Removal Project". Level Crossing Removal Authority. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Andrews pledges 25 new level crossing removals in Melbourne". ABC News. 21 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Ten More Level Crossings To Go By 2025 | Premier of Victoria". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  4. ^ a b Fowler, Michael (29 July 2021). "Big Build swells: Andrews adds $2.5b, five new stations and 10 level crossing removals". The Age. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  5. ^ Department of Transport (September 2019). "Annual Report 2018-19" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "Abolition of Busy Level Crossings" Railway Gazette 13 August 1954 page 176
  7. ^ "Abolishing Level Crossings in Victoria" Railway Gazette 30 December 1955 pages 769–771
  8. ^ "Abolition of Level Crossings in Victoria" Railway Gazette 4 November 1960 pages 539/540
  9. ^ "Infrastructure" Railway Gazette International July 2009 page 14
  10. ^ Rail line boost already on track Herald Sun 28 November 2011
  11. ^ Springvale road and rail grade separation Arup
  12. ^ a b c Woodcock, Ian; Stone, John (2016). "The Benefits of Level Crossing Removal: lessons from Melbourne's historical experience". University of Melbourne/RMIT University: 13 – via RMIT Researchbank.
  13. ^ Carey, Adam (26 October 2015). "Level crossings: VicRoads list of Melbourne's worst overlooked by Labor". The Age. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  14. ^ Promise Delivered: Port Of Melbourne Leased To Remove Level Crossings And Create Thousands Of Jobs Premier of Victoria 19 September 2016
  15. ^ Carey, Adam (14 December 2017). "Level crossing removal program poor value for money: Auditor-General Andrew Greaves". The Age. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  16. ^ Towell, Craig Butt, Noel (21 October 2018). "Another 25 rail level crossings to go under Labor pledge". The Age. Retrieved 28 October 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ Offer, Kaitlyn (29 July 2021). "Vic spends $2.5b more on level crossings". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Victoria Government Gazette – No. G 18 Thursday 7 May 2015" (PDF). Victoria Government Gazette. 7 May 2015. p. 74. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  19. ^ "Melbourne level crossing removal plan to be fast-tracked, Government says". ABC News. 15 February 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  20. ^ "About the authority". Level Crossing Removal Authority. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  21. ^ "Wyndham Vale Stabling Facility". Level Crossing Removal Authority. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  22. ^ "Kananook Train Storage Facility". Level Crossing Removal Authority. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  23. ^ "Crossings – Level Crossing Removal Project". Level Crossing Removal Authority. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  24. ^ "Mountain Highway level crossing gone". Level Crossing Removal Authority. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  25. ^ a b "Labor Government Removes Eighth Level Crossing In Two Years" (Press release). Melbourne: Premier of Victoria. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  26. ^ "Getting on with the job in Glenroy | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  27. ^ "Boom! Level crossing gone at Abbotts Road | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  28. ^ "Gone for good: Level Crossing Removal Project reaches half way | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  29. ^ a b c Carmody, Broede (1 August 2016). "Frankston line reopens as level crossing program rolls on". The Age. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  30. ^ a b c d e f levelcrossings.vic.gov.au | Level Crossing Removal Authority https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/media/news/five-more-level-crossings-on-the-frankston-line-to-be-gone-by-november | Level Crossing Removal Authority. Retrieved 1 July 2021. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. ^ a b c "Cheltenham and Mentone level crossing removals are go | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  32. ^ "Skye/Overton Road, Frankston | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  33. ^ "Seaford Road, Seaford". Your Level Crossing. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  34. ^ "Labor Government Delivers New Train Station In Glen Iris" (Press release). Melbourne: Premier of Victoria. 18 January 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  35. ^ "Grange Road, Alphington | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  36. ^ "Lower Plenty Road, Rosanna | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  37. ^ a b "Rail bridges preferred for Mooroolbark and Lilydale | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  38. ^ a b c "Eight crossings set to go in the north". Level Crossing Removal Authority. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  39. ^ "New road underpass set for Clyde Road level crossing | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  40. ^ a b c d "Every Caulfield to Dandenong level crossing gone | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  41. ^ a b "Level Crossings on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  42. ^ "South Gippsland Highway level crossing to go months ahead of schedule". Level Crossing Removal Authority. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  43. ^ a b c White, Alex. "Commuters take first ride on Melbourne's skyrail trains". The Herald Sun. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  44. ^ a b Galloway, Anthony (2 November 2016). "Melbourne's worst level crossing in St Albans removed after month-long construction blitz". Herald Sun. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  45. ^ "Melton Highway, Sydenham | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  46. ^ a b "Contract signed for Bell to Moreland level crossing removal| Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  47. ^ a b Upfield Line works Public Transport Victoria.
  48. ^ "Aviation Road, Laverton | Level Crossing Removal Project". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.
  49. ^ "Road bridge design confirmed at Cherry Street | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  50. ^ a b "Three more level crossings to go in Melbourne's west | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  51. ^ "Early end to major works at Kororoit Creek Road | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  52. ^ "We're lowering the rail line at Ferguson Street | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  53. ^ "10 more level crossings to go by 2025". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  54. ^ "25 more level crossing removals | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  55. ^ a b "Two level crossing removals fast tracked in the west | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  56. ^ a b "Cranbourne Line Upgrade to ramp up next year | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
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