By CASEY NEILL
SPRINGVALE commuters’ travel times could be slashed ahead of schedule, with the State Government announcing on Tuesday that work on the Springvale Road level crossing would start early.
But the South Gippsland Highway level crossing in Dandenong South has no upgrade in sight and on the same day was named by train drivers as one of the 10 worst in Victoria.
Coleman Rail won the $8.8 million design and construction contract for the Springvale project and preliminary signalling and service relocation work will start this month.
Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder joined South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich at the site on 26 March to make the announcement.
“From April, the local community should expect to see works along the rail corridor between Westall and Sandown Park Stations,” Ms Peulich said.
“These preliminary works will pave the way for major construction to start on the crossing removal later this year.”
In May last year the State Government committed $350 million to remove the rail level crossings at Springvale and Mitcham.
Ms Peulich said moving the train line beneath the road would reduce congestion and improve safety for all commuters.
“Two proponents have been shortlisted to form an alliance for the major construction of the project and are undergoing a selection process,” she said.
“The alliance is expected to be formed in May this year with major construction starting immediately.”
The project is due to be completed in late 2014.
“When complete, the project will include a manned, premium station at Springvale for added security and customer service,” Ms Peulich said.
TrackSAFE is urging state and federal governments to remove all level crossings after naming the 10 worst in Victoria from train drivers’ perspective.
“It is the train drivers who go over the same stretch of track day in, day out, over many years who know where the most risky level crossings are,” TrackSAFE director and Australasian Railway Association CEO Bryan Nye said.
There are about 70 collisions at level crossings each year where road users fail to obey the road rules, and 35 deaths every year result from level crossing and trespass incidents.
Mr Nye said train drivers suffered profound and lasting trauma from being exposed to such incidents.
“Approaching level crossings can be a significant source of anxiety for drivers who have witnessed countless near collisions at them,” he said.
“The more promptly risky level crossings are upgraded, the sooner drivers will feel safer at work.
“The best way of avoiding crashes between cars and trains is to get rid of level crossings.”
