The final design of the rail bridge over Kororoit Creek Road outside the Mobil refinery at Williamstown North has been released.
The state government has announced that the contract for the level crossing removal has been awarded to an alliance led by McConnell Dowell, Arup and Mott McDonald.
As part of the removal, 800 metres of the Altona loop will be duplicated so trains can pass each other.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said work would be fast-tracked to start this year, with the level crossing expected to be gone by the end of 2018.
“No government has ever removed this many level crossings, this quickly,” she said.
“We’re ahead of schedule and we’re not slowing down – work is under way all over Melbourne removing these congested death traps.”
Level Crossing Removal Authority project director Tony Hedley said an extended closure of the Altona loop for up to 60 days was expected about the middle of next year.
“This project will significantly improve road safety in the area while also reducing the risk of train delays on the Altona loop,” he said.
Hobsons Bay mayor Sandra Wilson said she was pleased with the partial duplication of the Altona loop and elements of the design, including landscaping in Racecourse Road and improved safety and connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists.
“However, at 151 on the list, it was hardly one of the most dangerous or congested level crossings that required removal,” she said.
“There are also a number of other crossings we would like considered in the future, including Maidstone Street (north), Altona; Maddox Road, Williamstown North; and Hudsons Road, Spotswood.”
If the alliance meets performance measures on the project, it will retain the contract to remove level crossings at Aviation Road in Laverton and Ferguson Street in Williamstown.
