Toorak Rd level crossing removal to finish in April
The level crossing removal of a heavily used Stonnington road is ahead of schedule. But the level crossing authority is forecasting some short-term pain for motorists and commuters.
Inner East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Stonnington level crossing which plagues about 37,000 drivers each day is set to be removed more than six months ahead of schedule.
But motorists and commuters will experience some travel pain until the Toorak Rd structure is completed in April.
Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said teams had been working around the clock to complete the job.
“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,” she said.
“Thank you to the local community for their patience while we get this … bottleneck removed for good, with hundreds of workers on site getting rid of the level crossing.”
Crews are installing 18 massive concrete columns which will support the new bridge.
The columns are 2.1m in diameter and will support bridge piers, which will range from 3m to 4.5m in height. The tallest piers will be on either side of Toorak Rd.
In February and March, 20 large U-troughs will be installed to form the rail bridge.
About 430 metric tonnes of concrete will be poured to construct the bridge piers.
Retaining walls to support sections of the rail bridge are also taking shape at the rail reserve in Tooronga Park and along Talbot Crescent.
Buses will replace Glen Waverley trains during the second-last weekend in February and through most of the Easter school holidays.
There will be a range of road closures to support the works, with most closures scheduled for off-peak periods.
This includes Talbot Crescent, whose residents mainly supported turning into a permanent cul-de-sac, but a local junior football club did not.
MORE: MALVERN SES DEALS WITH ‘BIGGEST EVENT EVER’
CRAMMED CLASSROOMS IN THE PAST FOR SOUTH YARRA SCHOOL
NEW UNDERGROUND EATERY FOR CHAPEL STREET
Motorists will be encouraged to use Burke Rd, Tooronga Rd and Glenferrie Rd.
Finishing works and landscaping will finish in early 2021, seeing more than 23,000 trees, plants and grasses planted in the area.
Details: levelcrossings.vic.gov.au