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Construction begins on St Albans level crossing removal

In the latest phase of Melbourne’s level crossing removal project, construction work has begun at two sites in St Albans in the city’s western suburbs. The removal is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The crossings are located at Furlong Rd and Main Rd, St Albans and the Victorian government says they are among the state’s most congested and dangerous. The boom gates at Furlong Road are down for 35 minutes, or more than 25 percent, of the morning peak. The Main Road crossing is even worse, being down for 60 mins of the peak.

In the past decade there have been two deaths and countless near misses across the two sites and the Victorian government says removing them will increase safety, reduce congestion and improve public transport for thousands in Melbourne’s west.

“St Albans has lived with these death traps for too long. They clog streets, risk lives and they’ll be gone by the end of the year – we’re getting it done,” Victorian Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan says.

Approximately 700 construction staff will work around the clock, removing the crossings and rebuilding both St Albans and nearby Ginifer stations.

“Construction will ramp up over the coming months, with hundreds of people working around the clock lowering the rail line, rebuilding the stations and removing these dangerous and congested crossings,” Victorian state MP for St Albans Natalie Suleyman says.

To enable these works to take place, buses are replacing trains between Sunshine and Sunbury from 4-30 October, Furlong Road will be closed from 12-27 October, and Main Road will be closed from 4-28 November.

 

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