Two of Victoria’s level crossing removal projects have hit milestones and opened sections back up to the public.
The new Beaconsfield roundabout has opened to traffic after a two week construction blitz, boosting safety and improving traffic flow through the area.
The new roundabout at the intersection of Station Street, Beaconsfield Avenue and Goff Street will connect to the road bridge being built over the rail line when the Station Street level crossing removal project is completed in 2025.
With most of the bridge foundations now in place, the remaining 37 beams will be delivered to site next week and lifted into place on the south side of the bridge over the coming weeks.
To mark these major project milestones, a free community event will be held at Beaconsfield Station car park from 9.30am, Saturday 9 November, with children’s activities, a student artwork display and free food and coffee.
Removing the Station Street level crossing will improve safety and ease congestion for drivers who face lengthy delays when the boom gates are down for more than 28 per cent of the morning peak.
Getting rid of these boom gates will help make the Pakenham Line level crossing free in 2025 and allow more trains to run more often when the Metro Tunnel opens next year, creating capacity for an additional 121,000 passengers every week on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.
Pedestrians and cyclists in Lilydale now have a safer way to cross the rail line, with the opening of the new Cave Hill Road underpass.
The five metre wide underpass is accessible by stairs and a ramp, and features extensive lighting and brightly-coloured geometric designs at each entrance.
A new shared use path has also been built either side of the underpass, linking to existing paths to improve pedestrian and cycling connections in the area.
The underpass was built following the closure of the dangerous Cave Hill level crossing earlier this year and will provide safer connections for students at the nearby Lilydale High School, and to surrounding homes and businesses.
Works to build a turning circle outside the school to keep traffic flowing during the busy school drop-off and pick-up period are expected to be completed later this month.
Crews have also started landscaping around the underpass, planting more than 90 trees, shrubs and plants to complement the existing leafy green environment.
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