By JASON TURNER
PRELIMINARY works on the highly anticipated Springvale level crossing removal are due to begin in March, with the state government insisting the project is on track for completion by late 2014.
The government has pledged $350 million over four years to the grade separation of the notorious crossing. However, in last year’s state budget, Treasurer Kim Wells announced only $53.3 million would be funded in the first year, potentially blowing out the project’s timeline to 2015-16.
But last week, VicRoads — which is overseeing the project — told the Journal that $264.1 million would be budgeted in 2013-14 with another $30 million the following year.
Transport Minister Terry Mulder confirmed this, stating: “The Coalition government is delivering on its promise to remove the Springvale level crossing.”
Shadow transport minister Fiona Richardson said local residents must get a guarantee that there would not be delays in order to give top priority to the government’s “pet projects”.
Lyndhurst MP Tim Holding said the government had promised the project and it should not be delayed any further.
Tenders for the project have closed and the land has been rezoned to public use, with the grade separation now incorporated into Greater Dandenong Council’s planning scheme.
Applications for the preliminary works are being assessed, with major stakeholders to receive an update on the project in four weeks.
Dandenong councillor Roz Blades said she was not concerned the project would not start on time and that the project was vital for the wider Springvale area.
“It will open up the whole corridor. People will be more inclined to come through the area.”
Cr Blades said the removal of the crossing had been talked about for 60 years.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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