Glen Huntly Road in Melbourne has reopened boom gate-free this morning – with cars, trams, pedestrians and cyclists able to cross the rail line again as the Victorian Government’s work to remove two level crossings reached a significant milestone.
The level crossings were some of the most dangerous and congested in Melbourne, where boom gates were down for almost 60 per cent of the morning peak as up to 40 trains on the busy Frankston line ran through the crossings.
Since 2016, there were 12 near-misses at the level crossing and 10 of those involved pedestrians.
As well as the level crossing, the tram square – where trams, trains, and vehicles all intersect – at Glen Huntly Road has been removed, ensuring more reliable journeys for Route 67 trams and locals in Glen Huntly.
Works have progressed quickly, with more than 500 workers working around the clock since early June to excavate more than 160,000 cubic metres of soil, the equivalent of 64 Olympic swimming pools, from the 1.2 kilometre trench.
Neerim Road reopened two weeks ago and works are powering ahead to lay ballast and tracks, install signalling and build other rail infrastructure as well as laying more than 30,000 bricks for a brand-new Glen Huntly Station.
The new modern station precinct will improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, tram passengers and drivers as well as create a better connection between the station, shops, homes and amenities.
Buses will continue to replace trains on sections of the Frankston Line until early August when trains will run through the new rail trench.
More than 20,000 vehicles travelled through the level crossings each weekday where the booms are down for almost an hour of the morning peak. More than 3000 people use Glen Huntly Station every weekday. The Frankston Line will be level crossing-free with all 27 dangerous and congested level crossings gone for good by 2029.
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