Big State Government promise on Sunbury rail projects
A slew of major transport projects will ease the pressure on congested Sunbury roads. But residents and the business community are demanding a coordinated approach to avoid mayhem. Here’s what the State Government has to say.
North West
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Upgrades to the Sunbury line, including the removal of the Gap Rd level crossing, will be “closely-co-ordinated” to avoid clashes, the State Government says.
Investigation works have begun for the removal of the Gap Rd level crossing as the Government prepares to extend station platforms and upgrade the Sunbury line to make way for the Metro Tunnel project’s bigger, high-capacity trains.
According to government timelines, both projects are due to be completed by 2025.
Transport Department spokesman Matt Macklin said both projects would “work together”, but he was unable to say which would be finished first.
“Both projects will be closely co-ordinated, with detailed planning under way — the community will be updated on the progress of the projects,” Mr Macklin said.
“The new longer trains and the Metro Tunnel will allow for an extra 113,000 peak-hour passengers each week on the Sunbury line — slashing travel times by up to 40 minutes a day.”
Sunbury Residents Association president Malcolm Thompson said he wanted to see the level crossing removed first.
“If it’s finished first, the flow of traffic at the Gap Rd/Horne St traffic lights would be perfect,” he said.
“We want to see it finished because if we’ve got longer trains rolling through town more frequently, the wait at the intersection would be longer still.”
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About 19,000 cars travel through the Gap Rd/Horne St level crossing each day. By 2026, that figure is estimated to reach 27,000.
The Leader understands land has also been set aside for two future train stations in the Sunbury area, two bridge crossings in Jacksons Creek and three grade-separated rail crossings as part of the Sunbury South and Lancefield Rd precinct structure plans.
These projects will be developed as the community grows over a 20-year period.
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