The dangerous and congested Toorak Road level crossing will be gone for good more than six months ahead of schedule, with traffic set to flow freely and trains traveling over the new rail bridge in April.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today visited the site, where teams have been working around the clock on the bridge structure.
Crews are currently installing 18 massive concrete columns that will support the new rail bridge, and in February and March 20 large U-troughs will be installed to form the rail bridge.
Retaining walls to support sections of the rail bridge are also taking shape at the rail reserve in Tooronga Park and along Talbot Crescent.
To enable the level crossing removal to be completed safely, efficiently and earlier there will be changes to the way people travel around Toorak Road over the coming months.
Buses will replace Glen Waverley trains on the second-last weekend in February and through most of the Easter school holidays – making use of the quieter holiday periods to avoid disruption.
There will be a range of road closures to support these works, with most closures scheduled for off-peak periods.
Drivers and rail users should plan ahead and allow extra time to reach their destination. Detour signage will be in place, with motorists encouraged to use Burke Road, Tooronga Road and Glenferrie Road.
Removing the level crossing will ease a major bottleneck for the 37,000 vehicles that get stuck at the level crossing each day, improve cycling and pedestrian connections and create new open spaces for the community to enjoy.
Finishing works and landscaping will finish in early 2021 seeing more than 23,000 trees, plants and grasses planted in the area.
The Andrews Labor Government is removing 75 level crossings by 2025, with 31 already gone for good. For information about the project and disruptions visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.
“Anyone who’s ever been stuck at this level crossing will know about the painful delays it causes for tens of thousands of Victorians each day – but not for much longer.”
—Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“Thank you to the local community for their patience while we get this dangerous and congested bottleneck removed for good, with hundreds of workers on site getting rid of the level crossing.”
—Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“When the level crossing is gone the local community will be safer and better connected, with more open space to enjoy.”