The Victorian Government has chosen the builder to deliver the Toorak Road level crossing removal construction works.
An alliance of Laing O’Rourke, Jacobs and Metro will deliver the $89 million contract to build a rail bridge over Toorak Road.
The alliance has already completed level crossing removals at Grange Road in Alphington, Lower Plenty Road in Rosanna. It was also involved in the duplication of the Hurstbridge line between Rosanna and Heidelberg and the construction of the new Rosanna station.
“Awarding the contract is a significant step towards removing this major bottleneck which will slash travel times for tens thousands of people every day to get them where they need to be safer and sooner,” Victorian Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said.
The crossing is one of the most dangerous and congested in Melbourne, with boom gates down for about 35 per cent of the morning peak.
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The Victorian Government said it is a bottleneck for tens of thousands of people travelling to the Monash Freeway and City Link via Toorak Road.
Since the design for the Toorak Road rail bridge was announced in February, the project team has consulted residents, road, rail and cyclists about the urban design, open space, landscaping, and pedestrian and cycling connections.
The Victorian Government said the elevated design is the only feasible solution based on engineering assessments that will minimise rail and road disruption as well as remove the level crossing as quickly as possible.
Early works will start in the coming weeks and the level crossing will be removed by 2021.