Victorian state election 2018: Opposition to remove Pakenham level crossings without sky rail
PAKENHAM is guaranteed to have a trio of level crossings removed, but exactly how that is achieved will depend on which party wins this month’s state election.
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PAKENHAM is guaranteed to have a trio of level crossings removed but residents will vote on how at November’s state election.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy today vowed to remove the McGregor Rd, Main St and Racecourse Rd level crossings with a trench to put rail under road.
It followed a Labor commitment yesterday to rid the entire Pakenham line of level crossings with 2.8km of elevated rail.
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Neither party would reveal how much the project would cost.
But Mr Guy said sky rail would be a “blight” on Pakenham.
“When you remove level crossings, you’ve got to do it properly — not on the cheap,” he said.
“We will do it properly for the longer-term and not just a short-term political hit, which is what the government’s proposal is.”
The opposition also promised to rebuild Pakenham station, potentially with four lines to cater for metro and V/Line regional trains, as part of its plan for high-speed rail to the Latrobe Valley.
The level crossings at Racecourse Rd and Main St would be removed as part of works to separate the nearby road intersection at Racecourse and Ball Hill roads.
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It is part of the opposition’s plan to remove 55 congested intersections in a project budgeted to cost as much as $5.3 billion.
The opposition’s visit to Bass — marginally held by Liberal MP Brian Paynter — came just a day after Premier Daniel Andrews campaigned in the seat.
The southeastern electorate has recorded rapid growth in Pakenham, Koo Wee Rup and surrounding suburbs.
It is a seat Labor is eyeing to pick up on November 24.
Asked about the Liberals’ level crossing plans, Premier Daniel Andrews said only Labor would remove all crossings in Pakenham.
“We will get rid of all the level crossings in Pakenham and that is something residents could have a think about in the days before November 24 election.”
Speaking as he was making a $58 million pledge for nine road projects in Ballarat, Mr Andrews said the 2.8km Pakenham sky rail was the best option.
“I stand by the treatment we put forward and our record of removing level crossings, we will get on and get rid of them while other people talk about it.”
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