Victoria’s planning minister has decided on a rail-under-road option for a pair of level crossing removals on Melbourne’s Frankston Line.
The decision was made after environmental assessments were carried out at level crossings in Edithvale and Bonbeach.
The assessments indicated the crossings can be removed using a trench without posing a threat to the Ramsar-listed Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands.
The Level Crossing Removal Authority’s Environment Effect Statements present engineering designs that will reportedly minimise any impact of the work on the environment and manage groundwater flows during construction.
Moreover, the designs indicate that continued monitoring of the area will ensure any environmental impacts from lowering the rail line are minimal and can, in the long-term, be managed effectively.
“We’re delivering what the community wants and will ensure the local environmental impacts are managed,” state transport minister Jacinta Allan said.
“The trench option for Edithvale and Bonbeach will remove two dangerous and congested level crossings and build two new stations.”
The works form part of the Victorian government’s $2 billion investment on the Frankston line which includes the removal of 13 level crossings and building 10 new stations.
The Seaford Road level crossing will be removed and the road bridge across the Patterson River will be opened by the end of September, while geotechnical work has started in Carrum to support the removal of three level crossings and the construction of a new station.
The EES was authorised by state planning minister Richard Wynne and publicly exhibited for consultation earlier this year.
“The Level Crossing Removal Authority provided a comprehensive Environment Effects Statement, and my assessment is that the projects can be built and operated with acceptable environmental outcomes,” Wynne said.
An independent committee of planning and environment specialists reviewed the 248 submissions and sat for seven days in June, hearing from environmental experts, engineers and community members before making recommendations to the minister.
Following the minister’s assessment, formal approvals for the projects will be sought including a set of Environmental Performance Requirements.