By CASEY NEILL
WORK on the project to remove the Noble Park level crossings will start within weeks as part of the skyrail deal approved on Friday 22 April.
The State Government on Friday signed the contract to remove all crossings between Dandenong and the city, including at Heatherton, Chandler and Corrigan roads.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan and Treasurer Tim Pallas announced that an alliance including Lendlease, CPB Contractors, WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, Aurecon and Metro Trains Melbourne had been formally awarded the contract for the Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossing Removal Project.
The $1.6 billion project will remove nine level crossings, build five new stations, upgrade signalling and power and create 11 MCGs worth of new public open space.
The State Government said that elevating the existing line would transform rail and rocks into kilometres of new parks, paths and open space.
Royal Botanic Gardens CEO Tim Entwisle will head an expert panel to oversee the transformation.
A trust fund will ensure the new space is safe, green and cared for in the long term, the State Government said.
Work on the Caulfield to Dandenong project will start at the end of this April, starting with the installation of fences and site preparations.
At the 11 April City of Greater Dandenong council meeting, councillor Matthew Kirwan said the council would not abandon the residents affected by the elevated rail and would continue advocating for them to have their concerns addressed and questions answered.
“There are still unanswered questions about noise, privacy, funding both the build of the open space improvements and the ongoing maintenance and importantly whether the addition of a third and fourth track will take away the open space improvements that elevated rail will bring,” he said.
