Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan, Member for Northern Metropolitan region Jenny Mikakos  and Member for Preston Robin Scott were among the first passengers at the new Reservoir Station today – the 25^th station opened by the Labor Government.

Today’s opening comes at the end of a two-week construction blitz, where 250 workers worked around-the-clock to complete the kilometre-long bridge, install signalling equipment and finish the station canopy.

The rail bridge and the High Street intersection now open with motorists able to drive beneath the rail bridge and through the intersection unobstructed by trains forever.

The removal of the level crossing means the six boom gates – previously down for up to 24 minutes each two-hour morning peak – will never again hold up traffic at the High Street intersection used by 36,000 vehicles each day.

Getting rid of the crossing will also boost safety – in the past decade there were three recorded collisions, a fatality and 26 near misses at this level crossing.

Removing the level crossing and creating the civic plaza will rejuvenate the station precinct and improve pedestrian connectivity between Edwardes Street and Broadway, with locals no longer cut off from shops or destinations on the other side of the tracks.

Finishing works on the project will continue into 2020, including installing permanent stairs and lifts at the station, and landscaping with more than 300 trees and 60,000 shrubs and grasses around the station precinct. Workers will also install new seating and signage and reinstate the bus interchange and shared use path.

Work to improve safety and deliver more trains on the Mernda line – which is used by 33,000 passengers each weekday – is continuing, with four more crossings to go on the Mernda line and new stations at Bell and Preston.

The Labor Government will remove 75 level crossings by 2025, making it safer, easier and faster to travel around the city.