- Minister for Transport Infrastructure
One of Melbourne’s most dangerous and congested level crossings at Bell Street is set to go with a $542.4 million contract awarded today to remove four level crossings and build two new stations in Melbourne’s inner north.
The project will remove level crossings at Bell Street, Munro Street, Reynard Street and Moreland Road and build two new modern stations at Coburg and Moreland. Bell Street is the busiest east-west arterial road in Melbourne’s north, frustrating the more than 40,000 drivers held up at the level crossing each week day.
Work to remove the four crossings will free up space for more trains more often on the Upfield line once Metro Tunnel is complete. Also in Melbourne’s north the Government is working to free up traffic with the North East Link Project expected to take vehicles off local roads when it opens in 2027.
As part of the level crossing removal project, pedestrian crossing lights along the Upfield Bike Path will be synchronised with the nearby Sydney Road lights to help improve flow of pedestrians and cyclists.
The two new stations will be well connected to other transport and linked with separate bike and pedestrian paths for safer and smoother journeys, in line with community consultation that has highlighted the importance of the separated paths.
Both new stations will be more readily accessed with lifts and stairs, a landscaped civic plaza and a total of 132 new bike parking spaces. The project will create almost two MCG’s worth of open space along 2.5 kilometres of the Upfield line, with three times more trees to be planted along the corridor.
At Moreland Station a new bigger and better Moreland Station Reserve will link both sides of the Moreland Station precinct and will feature barbecues, a nature playground, extensive planting and landscaped gardens.
The contract for the Bell to Moreland level crossing removal project has been awarded to an alliance of John Holland Group, Kellogg Brown & Root and Metro Trains Melbourne, which has removed 6 crossings and built Frankston Station. The team is currently removing the level crossing at High Street, Reservoir, and building the new Reservoir Station.
Investigative works and service relocations will now ramp up in preparation for major construction next year. The level crossings will be gone in late 2020 and the open space ready for locals to enjoy in 2021. For more information visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.
As noted by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“It is not just locals who want this level crossing gone. People from right across Melbourne get frustrated every time they travel through the northern suburbs and get stuck here.”
“The contracts are now signed and our hardworking team will get on with the job of removing these four dangerous and congested level crossings in Melbourne’s north.”
As noted by Member for Pascoe Vale Lizzie Blandthorn
“I’m excited to soon see major works begin on this important project, making the area precincts safer and delivering new open space for locals to enjoy.”
