The boom gates at Keon Parade in Reservoir are now a thing of the past, as Melbourne’s 77th dangerous and congested level crossing was removed today.
In the early hours of the morning, crews re-opened Keon Parade after 14 days of around the clock works. Last week, trains returned to the Mernda Line and are now running over the road on rail bridges.
The new rail bridges will improve the journeys for more than 18,000 vehicles travelling through this level crossing each weekday, where the boom gates were down for more than 41 minutes during the morning peak.
Removing the level crossing also improves safety for pedestrians who walk through the area to access education, work and leisure activities.
Removing 77 level crossings has saved more than 50 hours of boom gate down time during the morning peak every day.
Designed with safety and convenience in mind, the new Keon Park Station will open on the south side of Keon Parade on Friday 21 June, with works now continuing on the station forecourt at ground level, as trains travel above the road.
The new Keon Park Station precinct will provide easier access to the station, new local connections for the community and convenient access to shops and public transport.
The integrated transport hub will give passengers improved connections between train, bus and taxi services with new bus stops, secure Parkiteer bike storage and a pick-up and drop-off zone all within the precinct.
Although the station will open to passengers next month, works around the station precinct will continue over the coming months, including reinstating more than 160 car spaces and planting 44,500 shrubs and grasses and 220 trees around the station.
In the lead up to the station opening, a shuttle bus will run between Ruthven and Thomastown to connect Keon Park passengers with trains.
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