Third Sunbury railway crossing on the cards
With the Sunbury level crossing due to be removed by 2025, residents are worried about the flow of traffic around town. But could a solution be on the way?
North West
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A third rail crossing near Jacksons Hill might soon be a reality in Sunbury.
Under the Sunbury South Precinct Structure Plan (PSP), a road and rail crossing will link Vineyard Rd to Buckland Way.
Hume’s sustainable infrastructure and services director Peter Waite told the Leader this week the council wanted to see the link built in the near future.
“It is likely the link to Buckland Way will be developed first allowing access to the south and across Watson Rd railway crossing to Vineyard Rd,” he said.
“Council is looking at ways for Buckland Way link to be built sooner rather than later.”
Mr Waite was unable to give a time frame for these works as he said they were dependent on the infrastructure contribution plan, which is yet to be finalised.
Two PSPs will help guide development around Sunbury South and Lancefield Rd over the next 30 years.
Sunbury Residents Association president Malcolm Thompson told the Leader the community group would push for the Watson Rd crossing to be built before the level crossing was removed.
“If it isn’t removed before the crossing, we’ll have complete chaos,” he said.
“We support it and it’s something we’ve all been talking about for a long time.”
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CROSSING REMOVAL TO HAVE ‘MINIMAL’ IMPACT ON INTERSECTION
The State Government committed to removing the Sunbury level crossing before the end of 2025.
Early investigations by the Level Crossing Removal Project suggested the most likely option for the new design would be to lower the road under the railway line, but plans are subject to further consultation and technical assessment.
Mr Thompson likened planning for these projects to the Gap/Rd Horne St intersection makeover.
“While the Gap Rd/Horne St lights are fantastic now, it was chaos to get there,” Mr Thompson said.
“We don’t want to see that sort of thing happening again.”