Peak-hour traffic on Nepean Hwy worsens during level crossing removal works
It might be short-term pain for long-term gain, but level crossing removal works have seen peak-hour traffic on the Nepean Highway and surrounds slow to a snail’s pace. And authorities are warning of more travel pain ahead.
South East
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Commuters’ desperate bid to avoid replacement buses during rail closures, combined with road closures and detours, have blown out peak-hour traffic in Melbourne’s southeast.
Along the Frankston line, those who’ve abandoned public transport for their car have faced at least an hour extra travel time driving along the Nepean Highway and surrounding roads.
Level crossing removal work has ramped up at Carrum, Frankston and Cheltenham bringing train line closures, road closures and traffic detours, resulting in many more commuters on the road — in private cars and replacement buses — using restricted road access.
And the construction start on the new Mordialloc Freeway has slowed traffic to a crawl at peak times as hundreds of trucks pour on the roads around Braeside and Dingley and lanes are narrowed or closed.
Authorities have assured frustrated drivers that headaches could soon be eased, with a new Carrum intersection at McLeod Rd and Nepean Highway to start relieving congestion today, before completion of the crossing removal by February 17.
But they also warn 2020 will be a tough year for drivers and train users along the Frankston line.
A Department of Transport spokeswoman told Leader roads surrounding construction sites had been “heavier than usual” with traffic spilling out onto Nepean Highway and Balcombe and Warrigal road intersections across the City of Kingston and Bayside.
“Our signals team is monitoring traffic conditions around the road closures and tweaking traffic signal sequences where they can to keep people moving,” she said.
“The Department of Transport is working closely with the team at Level Crossing Removal Project to ensure delays are minimised so passengers and motorists can continue to get where they need to go.”
One-way traffic and pedestrian detours are in place on Station St Carrum between Mascot Ave and Walkers Rd and buses will continue to replace trains between Moorabbin, Frankston and Stony Point on the Frankston line until the last train on February 16.
Trains will resume on February 17 but Charman Rd will remain closed to motorists between Blagdon St and Station Rd until March 6.
There will be a brief reprieve before a huge construction blitz begins in May.
Major construction started in late 2019 on the rail trench, which will lower the Frankston line under Park Rd and Charman Rd in Cheltenham as well as Balcombe Rd in Mentone.
Preparations for building two new stations mean Mentone Station will close in late March and Cheltenham Station will close from mid-April.
Trains will run express through the stations until a two-month closure of a section of the Frankston line, which will run from mid-May to mid-July.
During the construction blitz, buses will replace trains from Moorabbin to Mordialloc for excavation of the rail trench. For road users, there will be temporary closures of level crossings during this time and detours will be in place.
The closures come as frustrated Cheltenham traders told the Leader there was “no question” disruptions on Charman Rd would affect trade.
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Level Crossing Removal Project program director Adam Maguire said the group was “actively monitoring” traffic around its work sites and planned construction activities to ensure disruption was minimised.
“It’s going to be a busy year for the Frankston line, with six level crossings gone for good by the end of 2020,” he said.
“These works are part of a massive $3 billion investment on the Frankston line which includes the removal of 18 level crossings, with five already removed, and building 12 new stations.
“Removing dangerous and congested level crossings reduces congestion and makes communities safer … we thank locals for their patience.”