The Victorian government will inject $1 billion into road and rail projects for Melbourne suburbs Lyndhurst, Cranbourne West and Lynbrook.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the Evans Road level crossing removal would be fast tracked, with work to build the new road bridge beginning this year and completion estimated for 2020.
Evans Road has been closed at the level crossing since 2005, dividing communities of Lyndhurst, Lynbrook and Cranbourne West and forcing drivers to take lengthy detours.
Allan said major upgrades to the intersection of Evans Road, Hallam Road and South Gippsland Highway, along with the removal of the level crossing, would enable Evans Road to reopen.
Related stories:
- Governments sign off on Melbourne Airport Rail Link
- Cheltenham and Mentone level crossing designs revealed
- Drilling begins for Melbourne’s Airport Rail Link
Three level crossings in Webster Street, Camms Road and Greens Road will also be removed making the Cranbourne line the first in Victoria to be level crossing-free.
Site investigations are underway to duplicate eight kilometres of single track between Dandenong and Cranbourne by 2023 in an attempt to remove bottlenecks, enable trains to run every ten minutes and extend the Cranbourne line to Clyde.
Safety improvements at the Dandenong-Frankston Road intersection will also be fast tracked with the installation of traffic lights.