By Brendan Rees
Works to eliminate the “frustrating” level crossing at Clyde Road, Berwick will begin within a year.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan was at Clyde Road on Tuesday 7 May to announce the timing of project and encourage locals to attend an information session.
Works on the Clyde Road level crossing – which is reportedly down for around a third of the two-hour morning peak – will start in early 2020, and be gone for good by 2022.
“It’s a really busy precinct,” Ms Allan said. “It also impacts on the Princes and the Monash Freeways.”
“This one has to go – there are community information sessions on the 22 and 25 of May, and we’re looking at having construction start on this in early 2020.”
She said the removal of this level crossing would mean drivers, cyclists and pedestrians will be able to travel more safely, and it will potentially provide greater access to more train services.
Works at the Cardinia Road level crossing in Pakenham have been fast-tracked, with the construction of a road bridge to be built over the rail line in late 2019 and wrapped up by the end of 2021.
Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas said: ““The removal of Clyde Road and Cardinia Road level crossings will really help ease congestion on Narre Warren South roads and ensure that locals get home sooner and safer.”
Federal Labor candidate for La Trobe Simon Curtis said as a local councillor, he had been for “fighting” for the level crossing removal on Clyde Road for 10 years.
“Nothing moves in Berwick because of this crossing. I can’t stress enough what a game changer this is,” he said.
Federal Member for La Trobe Jason Wood said in 2007 he made an election commitment for a grade separation of Clyde Road rail intersection.
“Unfortunately, when Federal Labor came to power, they just widened Clyde Road. Since then State Labor Government committed to grade separation over four year but failed to deliver,” he said.
The Federal Government announced this month a commitment of $40 million for an extra lane on Clyde Road, Berwick between the railway crossing and the Monash.
In addition, $10 million will be delivered to upgrade at the junction of Clyde Road with Kangan Drive, delivering three right and two left-hand turning lanes.
Information sessions for the Clyde Road level crossing removal project will be held at Berwick Primary School on Wednesday 22 May between 6pm- 8pm, and Saturday 25 May between 10am and midday.
