The Victorian government says a road bridge over the railway is the best option to remove the Cardinia Road level crossing in Pakenham, and has awarded an $80 million contract for the work.
Fulton Hogan will work in an alliance with Metro Trains Melbourne to remove the crossing through the construction of a road overpass.
The boom gates are closed for up to a third of the morning peak at the crossing which, by 2026, is estimated to be traversed by more than 24,000 passing cars each day.
The state says it has refined its road overpass design after community feedback. There are now to be stairs built on the road bridge’s eastern side, helping to provide better connections to the ground level paths.
With a site compound already being set up, the construction team hopes to stat major works later this year.
The crossing is set to be removed by 2021.
Cardinia Road is one of 17 level crossings being removed on the Pakenham line, one of the busiest for both Metro Trains Melbourne and V/Line passenger services, as well as freight trains.