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Vic rail crossing progress

Removal work on eight more rail crossings to start in 2018 in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs

Bus users in Melbourne’s beach-side suburbs will get relief, with more level rail crossings set to be removed and a start date announced this week.

Eight more level crossings on the Frankston line will go, with detailed planning and community consultation to kick off later this month.

“By 2018, work will have started or finished on more than half of the 50 dangerous and congested crossings we promised to get rid of,” Victorian minister for public transport Jacinta Allan says.

The Frankston line crossings will be some of the most complex to remove due to the narrow rail corridor and proximity to the busy Nepean Highway, but will undoubtedly improve the flow of traffic including bus services.

“Combined with the removal of all nine level crossings between Dandenong and Caulfield, getting rid of these crossings will transform Melbourne’s south east, delivering more trains, less congestion and safer roads,” Victorian premier Daniel Andrews says.

The Victorian Government claims it will remove a total of 50 level rail crossings, but work will have only just started on less than half of these by 2018.

The program is aimed at increasing the frequency of rail services and reducing congestion in Melbourne’s suburbs and construction has already begun at Centre, North and McKinnon Rd level crossings.

Community consultation in bayside areas will start next year, in preparation for contract award in 2017.

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