Lilydale and Mooroolbark level crossings could become sky rail

Fed-up commuters and drivers will have to wait three more years before two congested level crossings are removed in the Yarra Ranges — and the State Government hasn’t ruled out raising the tracks to get rid of both crossings.

The Lilydale level crossing will be removed by the end of 2022.

Sky rail could be coming to the Yarra Ranges but fed-up commuters will have to wait three more years for Lilydale and Mooroolbark level crossings to be removed.

While the Level Crossing Removal Authority has not yet confirmed designs for the Maroondah Highway and Manchester Rd sites, it says the crossings will be gone by the end of 2022.

But the authority would not rule out raising the tracks as an option to remove both crossings.

Lilydale Township Action Group members Max and Sharyn Manning said the community consensus supported the removal of both crossings, but had not been contacted by the authority with any information.

“Almost everyone wants the level crossings removed but the concern is where the station would go,” Mr Manning said.

Yarra Ranges Cr Terry Avery said in his opinion there was a strong possibility of a sky rail instead of going under the tracks under because the lines were on a floodplain.

“I would ask the council to investigate what the station house could be used for,” Cr Avery said.

“My view is if it’s vacant why couldn’t it be for community use?”

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Project director Steve Brown said engineering assessments were being done to determine the best removal options at both locations.

“We are working through engineering assessments that we have undertaken to help determine the best way to remove the dangerous and congested level crossings at Maroondah Highway and Manchester Rd and we will be speaking to the community when this process is complete,” Mr Brown said.

“We’ve already removed four level crossings on the Belgrave/Lilydale lines and we’re looking forward to working with the local community to get rid of four more.”