Andrews Government locks in elevated rail plans to remove level crossings on Upfield, Mernda lines

Two sky rail bridges will be built through Melbourne’s north as part of a $1 billion project to remove eight level crossings and build new stations. These are the train lines which will be affected.

Two sky rail bridges will be built through Melbourne’s north as part of a $1 billion project to remove eight level crossings.

The state government has locked in plans to upgrade the Upfield and Mernda lines, which also includes new stations being built at Coburg, Moreland, Preston and Bell.

Motorists in Preston are currently trapped by boom gates which can be down for up to 40 per cent of the morning peak hour period — a problem that will only get worse as more trains are scheduled to run on the Mernda line.

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The Bell St level crossing is slated for removal. Picture: George Salpigtidis

But the new rail bridge through the area will see level crossings removed at Murray Rd, Bell St, Cramer St and Oakover Rd.

Major works will start next year and be completed by 2021, with the government saying that lowering the railway line under the road would have taken another 18 months to build.

The Upfield line rail bridge will be completed by next year, removing crossings at Bell St, Reynard St and Munro St in Coburg, as well as Moreland Rd in Brunswick.

About 150,000 vehicles pass through the eight level crossings every day.

Coburg station will be rebuilt, but the heritage-listed building will be preserved. Picture: Ellen Smith

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There have been more than 50 near misses at the crossings since 2005, along with one death and two seriously injured.

Information sessions will be held with locals soon, which will also given them the opportunity to provide ideas on how to use the new open space created under the rail bridges.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the government was “getting on with the job of removing these dangerous crossings” — which are part of Labor’s pledge to remove 75 level crossings by 2025.

“This is part of a huge investment in the inner north creating jobs and better connections for those living and working in these communities,” she said.

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