Traffic gridlocks will be a thing of the past with a new Springvale grade separation and railway station.
By NICOLE WILLIAMS
A GRADE separation for Springvale will also include a new station and new platforms for the ageing railway station.
The State Government committed $350 million to the grade separation in the recent State Budget but VicRoads has confirmed the project will include the construction of a new station and platform.
The new alignment of the tracks will be pushed north and the train lines lowered so the road will be built over the top.
Construction is expected to being in mid-2013 and will be completed in 2014.
At Monday night’s council meeting, Greater Dandenong councillors endorsed a planning amendment to pass authority to State Planning Minister Matthew Guy, which will better facilitate the project.
A VicRoads spokesperson said construction will start in mid-2013.
“The project will see the rail line lowed and construction of a new station and platform as well as improved pedestrian amenities.”
VicRoads is currently undertaking feasibility and design but expects to release the Springvale Rail Crossing Removal Expression of Interest (EOI) to the construction industry in the coming months.
“This process will confirm final project design and construction timeframes.”
The council has argued for the grade separation due to the busy nature of the intersection.
Bruce Rendall, Greater Dandenong engineering services director, said the council was extremely happy with the project.
“We understand that the new station will have very good disabled access,” he said.
“We are continuing to work with VicRoads and the project team to get the best outcome for Springvale residents.”
Some 8000 vehicles and 140 trains pass through the Springvale crossing in peak times each day, with boom gates down 42 per cent of the time during morning peak periods
Public Transport and Roads Minister Terry Mulder said the project would ensure that the gates would come down for the last time in 2014.
“The Springvale Road level crossing removal project is expected to improve the safety, travel times and reliability of all modes of transport that operate in the area,” he said.
