Reservoir level crossing: Sky rail an option for dangerous choke point

SKY rail could rise above High St when the notorious Reservoir station level crossing is removed, under a plan being considered by the crossing removal authority.

Reservoir train station could be moved nine metres up in the air under a proposal to replace a notorious level crossing. Picture: Stuart Milligan

SKY rail could rise above High St when the notorious Reservoir station level crossing is removed.

The Level Crossing Removal Authority is considering raising the South Morang line for a 1km stretch or lowering it into a 1.3km trench beneath High St.

The sky rail option would be nine metres high and include an elevated island platform at Reservoir station.

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The Reservoir level crossing is at the junction of High St, Cheddar Rd and Spring St.

It is the third most congested intersection in Melbourne with more than 36,000 vehicles passing through daily, according to a 2014 RACV Red Spot Survey.

The State Government has pledged to remove three of the worst level crossings in Darebin: High St, Reservoir, Bell St, Preston and Grange Rd, Alphington.

Darebin Council recently proposed the State Government build a 2.5km stretch of sky rail on the South Morang line, as a solution to the Bell and Preston level crossings.

The proposal included the removal of three additional crossings and would cost $247 million.

Feedback can be left here or at a community information session at the Reservoir Library, 23 Edwardes St.

The first session is on Tuesday, October 3 from 4-7pm.

The second is on Saturday, October 7 from 10am-1pm.

@edjgardiner