Dangerous Surrey Hills and Mont Albert level crossings to be removed by 2025

A deadly Surrey Hills level crossing where two women were hit and killed by a train in 2016 has been flagged for removal in the State Budget.

Two level crossings in Boroondara have been slated for removal after a $6.6 billion funding commitment by the State Government.

Rail crossings at Union Rd, Surrey Hills, and Mont Albert Rd, Mont Albert, were earmarked for redevelopment alongside 23 others in the State Budget, released last week, bringing the total number of crossings to be overhauled by 2025 to 75.

Two women were tragically killed at the Union Rd crossing in 2016 after their car became stuck between the boom gates in heavy traffic and was hit by an express train.

The project to remove the crossings, which are also notorious for causing traffic congestion, is the largest of its kind in Victorian history and 29 have so far been removed.

Premier Daniel Andrews previously announced both level crossings will have the rail pass under the road.

Opposition transport infrastructure spokesman David Davis said deadly crossings like the one at Union Rd should have been removed when work first began in 2015.

The State Government has committed to removing the level crossing at Union Rd, Surrey Hills, by 2025. Picture: Josie Hayden

“These level crossings were left off the initial list and the Union Rd, Surrey Hills, crossing is an extremely dangerous crossing where we’ve had tragic deaths in recent years, so it should have been higher up on the list,” Mr Davis said.

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Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the government prioritised the removal of the Mont Albert and Surrey Hills crossings in its latest budget to improve safety and reduce congestion.

Boroondara acting director of environment and infrastructure Carolyn Terry said the council preferred a rail under road option for both locations and had written to Level Crossing Removal boss Kevin Devlin.