Coalition pledges to replace Glenferrie Rd crossing in Kooyong with underpass

The Morrison government has promised to remove the congested level crossing in Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong, as the election battle for the seats of Higgins and Kooyong heats up.

The Morrison government has pledged to remove the Glenferrie Rd level crossing in Kooyong. Picture: News Corp Australia

A boom gate that is down for a third of the morning commute will be replaced with an underpass, as part of a multimillion-dollar plan by the Morrison Government.

The Coalition will spend $260 million to remove the level crossing on Glenferrie Rd at Kooyong, which was left off the state government’s list of 50 level crossing projects, despite causing congestion on a key arterial corridor.

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The congested crossings is in the Coalition-held seat of Higgins, which is under threat from Labor and the Greens following the resignation of frontbencher Kelly O’Dwyer.

More than 20 trains pass through the crossing during the morning peak resulting in the boom gate being down for almost a third of the time between 7am and 9am, delaying cars and trams.

The Glenferrie Rd crossing. Picture: News Corp Australia

The Glenferrie Rd level crossing is located just 800 metres from the Toorak Road level crossing, which the state Labor government has announce will be replaced with a 550-metre section of elevated track.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who is fending off the Greens and an independent in the neighbouring seat of Kooyong, said the underpass will reduce the impact on local businesses, sporting clubs and residents.

“The Glenferrie Rd level crossing removal was identified by VicRoads as a dangerous and congested site and singled out by the Victorian Auditor-General as missing from the state government’s Level Crossing Removal Program,” Mr Frydenberg said.

“The Morrison government will make the necessary investment to fix this problematic intersection blocked up by trains, trams and vehicles and make the local area safer while easing congestion for south east Melbourne commuters.”

The Morrison government has also promised to spend $10 million on two business cases to assess the removal of level rail crossings at Tooronga Rd and Madden Grove if re-elected.

The Liberal Party’s Higgins candidate, Katie Allen, said the government had listened to the community’s feedback about the need for an underpass, not cheaper elevated rail.

“This is a project that will see residents in my local community spend less time on the road, and more time at home with their families,” Ms Allen said.

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