- Minister for Transport Infrastructure
The Andrews Labor Government is removing the dangerous and congested Clyde Road level crossing in Berwick by building a road underpass beneath the Pakenham line, improving safety and easing congestion.
Around 22,000 vehicles use the crossing every day, with the boom gates down for around a third of the two-hour morning peak, delaying people travelling to and from the Princes and Monash freeways.
Detailed engineering assessments and site investigations identified a road underpass is the best design to remove the level crossing – minimising disruption for 20,000 rail passengers each day and creating opportunities to improve walking and cycling.
Other designs would take up to a year longer to complete, would require compulsory acquisition of private properties and significant underground service relocation, including the Longford gas main.
A road underpass also means that Berwick Station won’t need to be knocked down, which would cause further disruption for passengers and allows for the Commonwealth Government to deliver its commuter car parking and road upgrade commitments.
The Labor Government will work cooperatively with the Commonwealth to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to the delivery of the projects to get the best outcome for the community.
Other designs would also impact commuters by shutting the Pakenham line between Pakenham and Dandenong for up to two months. Construction will start next year, and the level crossing will be gone by 2022.
Meanwhile, further along the Pakenham line, the fast-tracked removal of the dangerous and congested level crossing at Cardinia Road in Pakenham is a step closer with work set to begin later this year.
An alliance of Fulton Hogan and Metro Trains Melbourne has been awarded the $80 million contract to deliver the project.
Nine level crossings on the Pakenham line have already been removed, with eight more earmarked for removal.
As noted by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“We’re removing 17 level crossings on the Pakenham line, getting people home sooner and safer.”
“Removing the dangerous and congested Clyde Road level crossing will mean less congestion for the 22,000 vehicles who use the crossing every day with minimal disruption for locals.”
As noted by Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas
“The dangerous Clyde Road level crossing not only impacts locals, it holds up vital emergency service vehicles travelling to and from local hospitals – it has to go.”
As noted by Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale
“We said we would remove the Cardinia Road level crossing and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
