As the coronavirus pandemic continues, the Victorian Government is getting on with projects to boost local jobs and keep Victorians moving, with two more level crossings in Melbourne’s west fast-tracked for removal by 2023.

After months of site investigations and engineering assessments, Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today announced the dangerous and congested level crossings at Fitzgerald Road in Ardeer and Deer Park’s Robinsons Road have been fast tracked for removal by 2023, with construction to start early next year.

These level crossings have a concerning safety record, with 18 near misses since 2012, causing huge delays and frustration for the 53,000 commuters and freight vehicles that travel through them each day – with boom gates down for up to 45 per cent of the morning peak when up to 37 trains run through the crossings.

The Robinsons Road level crossing will be removed with a road underpass, and the Fitzgerald Road level crossing with a road overpass – designs that will minimise disruptions to train services and the local community and allow for continued improvements to the Geelong-Ballarat train line and local roads.

The removal of these two level crossings also paves the way for the nearby Mount Derrimut Road level crossing to be removed by 2025, removing the last of the level crossings between Deer Park and the city.

These level crossing works complement the Victorian Government’s projects to keep the western suburbs moving as the area’s population booms, with the Western Roads Upgrade improving intersections and building extra lanes on Palmers Road, and extra lanes being added to the nearby Dohertys Road – due for completion this year.

With designs and timing now confirmed, the project team is seeking community feedback on aspects of the designs and construction. The community is encouraged to provide feedback online at engage.vic.gov.au/bigbuild.

Across Melbourne, 75 level crossings are being removed by 2025, and when the Frankston line reopens at the end of the month there’ll be 38 gone for good.