Engineering, Passenger Rail, Safety, Standards & Regulation

40 regional Vic level crossings upgraded

V/Line train going through level crossing. Photo: RailGallery.com.au

Forty regional rail crossings have now been upgraded in the Victorian government’s Safer Country Crossings Program, with another 10 more to be completed by the end of the year.

The program has aimed at improving safety by turning passive level crossings into active level crossings, providing them with boom-gates, bells and flashing lights. $27 million has so far been spent upgrading 32 road and 8 pedestrian crossings.

Warnings will mean motorists will now no longer rely on their own line of sight to determine when it is safe to cross, while automatic gates and emergency exits at pedestrian crossings mean pedestrians will be kept away from the track when a train is approaching.

Thirty-seven further crossings are expected to be upgraded by the end of next year before the program is complete, state transport Jacinta Allan said

“We said we’d improve safety at 77 country crossings throughout regional Victoria and we’re more than halfway there – we’re getting it done,” Allan declared.

“With 40 crossings complete and the remainder to be finished by the end of the year – we’re delivering vital safety upgrades for regional motorists, pedestrians and passengers ahead of schedule.”