Three new bridges for level crossing removals in Melbourne’s west

The Andrews Government has annnouced level crossings in Melbourne’s west will be the next to removed as part of long-term plan to rid Victoria of dangerous level crossings. Here’s which ones.

A level crossing in Victoria, Australia. Picture: Hamish Blair

New road and rail bridges will be built in Melbourne’s west as part of the long-term plan to rid Victoria of dangerous level crossings.

The boom gates at two Werribee CBD locations and an intersection at Hoppers Crossing will be removed by 2022, according to local MP and state Treasurer Tim Pallas.

“Just like the 29 level crossings we’ve already removed across Melbourne, these three sites at Werribee and Hoppers Crossing cause nothing but frustration and anxiety — they have to go,” Mr Pallas said.

At Old Geelong Rd the preferred design is a new road bridge over the rail line east of the existing crossing, directly connecting the Princes Hyw to Heaths Rd.

At Cherry Street, it is likely a new road bridge will be built linking Tarneit Rd to the Princes Hwy through the irrigation channel next to Wyndham City Council offices.

The final preferred plan to remove the Werribee St crossing is to elevate the Werribee line over the road.

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas. (AAP Image/Erik Anderson) NO ARCHIVING

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Drop-in community sessions have been planned to inform locals of the designs.

Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly welcomed the news.

“Anyone who has been stuck behind the boom gates at these level crossings knows what a difference removing them will make,” She said.

Close to 60,000 vehicles and several bus routes use the three level crossings each day, along with 140 Metro services daily on the Werribee line.

Since 2005, there has been one fatal collision three serious incidents and at least 50 near misses in the area.

People can also get more information by visiting at levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

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