ANOTHER two level crossings on the Frankston line have been removed.
Level crossing removal crews have finished the latest batch of works at Glenhuntly. The LXRP has earmarked 27 level crossings for removal on the Frankston line, which are all due to be completed by 2029.
Glen Huntly Road opened again on 15 July, and Neerim Road reopened two weeks before that. Although the roads have reopened, there are still headaches ahead for rail users. Buses are expected to replace trains along the Frankston line until early August, when a new rail trench will open.
The state government says that 10 pedestrians have been nearly hit at the Frankston line level crossing at Glenhuntly since 2016, and that the boom gates were down for 60 percent of the morning peak. Acting transport minister Sonya Kilkenny said “this is an important milestone for the community as we get on with removing two level crossings and one of the last tram squares on the metro network, making roads less dangerous and congested for pedestrians, cyclists, tram passengers and drivers.”
Work is currently ongoing to remove the level crossings at Warrigal Road and Parkers Road at Parkdale. Construction on new rail bridges between Mordialloc and Aspendale is expected to begin next year – the state government recently moved forward work on that section of the rail line by three years (“Community say on rail bridges critical” The News 28/6/23).
The state government hopes to make the Frankston line entirely level crossing-free in the next six years.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 19th July 2023