The Toorak Road level crossing is nearing completion six months ahead of schedule, with traffic set to flow freely under the skyrail in April.
Teams have been working around the clock to deliver the bridge structure and are currently installing 18 massive concrete columns that will support the bridge. In the coming months, 29 U-troughs will be installed to form the rail bridge itself.
Retaining walls to support sections of the bridge are also taking place in Tooronga Park, along Talbot Crescent.
For the level crossing to be removed safely, road closures and train replacement busses will be deployed, attempting to make the best use of the quieter holiday periods where possible to avoid disruption.
Removing the level crossing aims to alleviate a traffic bottleneck for the 37,000 vehicles that are stuck at the Toorak Road crossing each day. It also aims to improve cycling and pedestrian connections and create new open spaces for the community. Finishing works and landscaping will finish in early 2021, with more than 23,000 trees, plants and grades to be planted in the area.
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“When the level crossing is gone the local community will be safer and better connected, with more open space to enjoy,” said Member for Southern Metropolitan Region Nina Taylor.
The Level Crossing Removal project aims to remove 75 level crossings across Melbourne’s rail network by 2025. 31 crossings have already been permanently removed.
Victorian Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan thanked the local community for their patience while hundreds of construction workers removed the dangerous and congested bottleneck.
“Anyone who’s ever been stuck at this level crossing will know about the painful delays it causes for tens of thousands of Victorians each day – but not for much longer,” she said.