Contract awarded in controversial Toorak Road sky rail

Three companies have been hired to build sky rail as part of a level crossing removal on Toorak Rd, with Kooyong opponents of the controversial project saying they have been caught off-guard by the announcement.

The Toorak Rd level crossing in Kooyong.

A $89 million contract has been signed for Toorak Rd’s level crossing removal, with three companies hired by the Andrews Government to build the controversial sky rail.

Metro, Laing O’Rourke and Jacobs — who have worked on other northern level crossing removals — will build the 9m-tall, 550m-long section of elevated track in the leafy suburb of Kooyong.

A pedestrian crossing will also be built for walkers and cyclists.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the community’s “overwhelming feedback” was to remove the level crossing as fast as possible.

She said sky rail was the quickest and only feasible solution.

But Kooyong Underground, an anti-sky rail action group, is still opposing the plans following their recent $10,000 community grant from Stonnington Council.

Founder Marnie Rowe said the contract announcement caught her off guard.

“It shocked us that they are forging ahead without consideration of the masterplan of the area.”

Marnie Rowe of Kooyong Underground. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Ms Rowe said she was concerned the track would be a “rollercoaster” due to the rail underpass pledged for Glenferrie Road level crossing 800m down the line.

“We are continuing to try have discussions for a masterplan for the area and continue to create awareness and pressure them to stop,” she said.

Before last month’s federal election, federal Kooyong MP Josh Frydenberg promised $260 million to have Glenferrie Rd level crossing put underground.

Higgins federal Liberal MP Katie Allen said she wanted reassurance that the signing of the contract for Toorak Rd would not preclude the delivery of a satisfactory solution for the removal of the Glenferrie Rd crossing.

An artist impression of the Toorak Rd level crossing removal with a sky rail.

Ms Allen said she would continue to listen to concerns from the Higgins community and Kooyong Underground about the Toorak Rd removal.

“I am disappointed that the Andrews Government is not listening to local community concern,” she said.

“They are steamrolling ahead with a solution for the Toorak R level crossing removal that may have a significant negative impact on future solutions for removal of other level crossings along the line.”

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