Wednesday, 2 August 2023

South-Eastern Metropolitan Region level crossing removals

Lee TARLAMIS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:53): The Andrews Labor government is getting Victorians home more quickly and safely by removing 110 level crossings as part of Victoria’s Big Build, with 72 now gone for good. Across my electorate of South-Eastern Metropolitan Region the Frankston, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will soon be completely level crossing free, with 27 level crossings currently removed and 15 more to go. The Frankston line in particular has a large volume of vehicles travelling through the crossings, with about 51,000 vehicles travelling each day and boom gates down for up to 48 minutes of the morning peak.

Level crossing removal projects that are currently underway or in the planning stages on these lines include Webb Street, Narre Warren; Webster Street, Dandenong; Progress Street, Dandenong South; Camms Road, Cranbourne; Station Street, Beaconsfield; Brunt Road, Beaconsfield; Latrobe Street, Mentone; Warrigal Road, Mentone; Parkers Road, Parkdale; McDonald Street, Mordialloc; Bear Street, Mordialloc; Station Street, Aspendale; Groves Street, Aspendale; Armstrongs Road, Seaford; and Station Street, Seaford.

We all know that level crossings can be dangerous, unsafe and congested. By removing them, the danger of trains sharing a crossing with a vehicle is removed and frustrating delays to motorists caused by boom gates are also eliminated. In the process we work collaboratively with the local community to completely redesign these areas, including creating public spaces that are accessible and inclusive and that enhance the local community identity. Thousands of jobs are also being created as a result of this government’s massive investment in Victoria’s infrastructure. We are proud that the Big Build agenda across all areas, including rail, roads, hospitals and schools, has created more than 610,000 jobs since the government was elected in November 2014, and we are looking forward to continuing to roll out these important projects and delivering for all Victorians.