A rail-over-road bridge has been chosen to remove the High Street level crossing in Reservoir, north of Melbourne, in a move the government says will create better connections for pedestrians and cyclists.
Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal Authority recently announced the elevated rail option had been chosen to remove the High Street crossing. The Authority said the elevated option will create direct connections between Edwardes Street and Broadway.
The elevated section of rail will be roughly one kilometre long, providing for 5.4 metres of clearance over High Street.
The alternative was to move the railway under the road, by lowering the train line and new station platforms into an open trench.
Public transport minister Jacinta Allan said the elevated railway and rebuilt Reservoir station would be part of a new, public plaza with safer waiting areas, better lighting and station facilities.
“This design will reduce impacts on nearby roads and businesses and provide opportunities to create better connections for the community,” Allan added.
Roughly 36,000 vehicles travel through the High Street level crossing every day, and the state government estimates the boom gates are down for 24 minutes during the morning peak.
The crossing has also been the site of 26 near-misses, three recorded collisions, and one fatality in the last decade alone.
“Getting rid of this level crossing is long overdue and will transform the way we live, work and travel around Reservoir for decades to come,” Member for Preston Robin Scott said.
“Now the work has started, I encourage all locals who are interested in learning more about the project to sign-up for regular community updates.”
Work began on the project at the end of September, with site investigation and establishment works kicking off proceedings.
Major construction is due to commence in early 2019.