Early designs have been released for two more level crossing removals in Melbourne’s booming west, to make Melton boom gate-free by 2026.
New road bridges will be built over the rail line at Ferris Road in Melton and Hopkins Road in Truganina, creating smoother and safer journeys for drivers while minimising disruption during construction.
In response to community feedback, the road bridges will feature new walking and cycling paths, funded as part of the Victorian Government’s Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution, creating more ways for locals to get around.
A $229 million contract has been awarded to an alliance comprising Fulton Hogan, Metro Trains Melbourne and the Level Crossing Removal Project to build the Ferris Road and Hopkins Road bridges.
These early designs follow the artist’s impressions released earlier this year for new rail bridges that will take trains over Coburns and Exford roads in Melton, as well as a new Melton Station, which will cater for one of the fastest-growing communities in Australia.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson announced the designs.
“The release of the latest designs is an exciting step towards getting rid of these Melton level crossings once and for all,” he said.
“We’re building a new Melton Station, getting rid of four dangerous and congested level crossings and making Melton boom gate free by 2026, improving safety and busting congestion for locals in the west.”
Removing the four dangerous and congested level crossings will unclog roads for more than 73,000 vehicles travelling these roads each day. Drivers currently face up to 28 minutes of boom gate down time in the morning peak, when 16 trains go through.
Major construction on all four level crossings and the new Melton Station is scheduled to begin later this year, with the new station open and all four sets of boom gates gone for good in 2026 – 2 years ahead of schedule.
The Melton level crossing removals will also pave the way for the introduction of larger nine-car VLocity trains as part of the $650 million Melton Line Upgrade, increasing capacity for passengers by 50 per cent.
Locals are being asked to share their ideas to help refine designs for the level crossing removals at Ferris Road and Hopkins Road. The early designs, online surveys and more information about community information sessions is available via Engage Victoria.
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