Sky rail plan is here to stay for Cranbourne-Pakenham line, Premier says
THE decision to build a sky rail along the Cranbourne-Pakenham train line in southeast Melbourne cannot be reversed, Premier Daniel Andrews says.
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THE decision to build a sky rail along the Cranbourne-Pakenham train line in southeast Melbourne cannot be reversed, Premier Daniel Andrews says.
But the Premier has promised to “listen to the local community” along the Frankston line before a decision is made there about whether to elevate train tracks in order to remove its level crossings.
Mr Andrews came under fire this morning from residents affected by the Cranbourne-Pakenham line decision, who called into radio station 3AW.
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The government has committed to a $1.6 billion level crossing removal program along the Cranbourne-Pakenham line, which includes three sections of “sky rail” that will run about 8-12 metres above street level.
Mr Andrews told listeners that there had never been a stipulation that level crossings would be removed by putting rail or road underground.
He said in the Carnegie area, where three level crossings will be removed by elevating the train tracks for 3.6km, there would be significant costs to go underground because of gas lines.
Mr Andrews later told reporters that a decision on how to remove level crossings along the southern section of the Frankston line was yet to be taken.
However, it is understood the government is considering advice about a sky rail on parts of the line between Mordialloc and Frankston, due to issues with tunnelling in an area close to the beach, rivers, and local streets.
Mr Andrews said the government would consult with residents in that area.
“There are some engineering challenges down there but I would say to you that we are going to get rid of those level crossings because that’s what we said we would do,” he said.
“We will get the best advice from the experts — those engineers — but we will also listen to the local community.”
matthew.johnston@news.com.au