By Matthew Sims
Yarraville’s Anderson Street level crossing will be closed to traffic to potentially make way for an architecturally designed underpass, as part of the state government’s Level Crossing Removal Project.
On Wednesday, October 26, Premier Daniel Andrews announced the Werribee line will be level crossing free by 2030, including removals at Hudsons Road in Spotswood, Maddox Road in Newport and Maidstone Street in Altona.
The project will likely include the construction of new elevated rail bridges at Hudsons Road and Maddox Road to complement the construction of a new train station in Spotswood.
The Maidstone Street works will involve the construction of a road bridge to avoid disrupting utilities and connections to the industrial area.
Upgrades to the road network will also allow for the level crossing at Champion Road in Newport to be closed, with vehicles able to cross the rail line at Maddox Road and a new grade-separated pedestrian crossing to be built at Champion Road.
The site of a fatality in October 2007 after a cyclist was struck by a train and four serious injuries since 2006, the closure of the Anderson Street level crossing will also allow for less congestion, as projections estimate boom gates will be down for 85 per cent of the morning peak, meaning traffic between 7am and 9am would only be able to cross the train line for 18 minutes.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the planned removals and closures will complement the four level crossings already removed along the Werribee line.
“We’ll get rid of the remaining five, create more jobs, and make more communities safer,” he said.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the Werribee line will join a number of other lines, including the Sunbury line, in becoming level crossing free by 2030.
Williamstown MP Melissa Horne said the announcement is a “fantastic investment” for western Melbourne road users, pedestrians and public transport users.
“I look forward to seeing these dangerous and congested level crossings gone for good from our community,” she said.
Footscray MP Katie Hall said the closure of the Anderson Street crossing is an chance to future-proof Yarravillle.
“I encourage the community to engage with future consultations and put their views forward for a safer, better Yarraville,” she said.
Details: levelcrossings.vic.gov.au
