<span class="" id="parent-fieldname-description"> Three of Victoriaâs most notorious level crossings are to be removed. </span> <p>Premier Denis Napthine and state minister for roads Terry Mulder awarded construction tenders, worth $349.8 million for the removal projects last week.</p><p>Two level crossings in Mitcham and a third at Springvale will be removed under the contracts with the rail lines being lowered to run under the existing roadways.</p><p>Engineering and construction company KBR and Australian contractor John Holland were awarded the contract to remove the level crossings at Mitcham and Rooks Roads in Mitcham.</p><p>The two Mitcham level crossings will be altered such that rail lines will run below Mitcham and Rooks Roads.</p><p>“At Mitcham, approximately 16,000 vehicles and 200 train services pass through the crossing daily, with the boom gates down for more than 45% of the morning peak,” Mulder said.</p><p>Australian engineering and construction company McConnell Dowell will team up with rail engineer Balfour Beatty Rail and engineering joint venture Parsons Brinckerhoff/Beca to remove the level crossing at Springvale Road, Springvale.</p><p>The Springvale Road level crossing will be altered in a similar way to the other two the rail line will be lowered such that it runs below the road.</p><p>“At the Springvale Road level crossing approximately 8000 vehicles, 1000 pedestrians and 140 train services pass through during peak times each day, with the boom gates down for 42% of the morning peak,” Mulder said.</p><p>Dr Napthine stressed the importance of replacing the three level crossings, both for safety and for efficiency.</p><p>“Each day thousands of vehicles and hundreds of train services pass through these three crossings with the boom gates down for nearly half of the morning peak,” he said.</p><p>“Effectively blocking these major roads for half of the morning peak is not only enormously frustrating and costly for motorists, it also poses a significant safety risk.</p><p>“Separating the rail line from the road at these three locations will be a massive boost for easing congestion and will also lead to much safer conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, road users and public transport passengers.”</p><p>Both projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2014.</p>
