By Shelby Brooks
A road bridge has been proposed to replace a level crossing in Station Street, Beaconsfield, while Station Street in Officer could be closed permanently at the rail line.
According to the State Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project, the proposed road bridge in Beaconsfield minimises disruption for 5200 vehicles that use the crossing each weekday.
Other designs were considered to take longer and require extensive shut down periods and impacts to passengers on the entire Pakenham Line.
The boom gates at Station Street are down for 33 minutes on average during the morning peak, causing delays for vehicles using the crossing each day.
“The Beaconsfield community is thrilled these dangerous level crossings are being removed, and everyone now has the opportunity to share their thoughts and help shape the final design of the new road bridge,” Eastern Victoria Region MP Harriet Shing said.
Major construction on the Beaconsfield level crossing project will begin in 2023.
A road closure in Officer was decided as the best option to remove the level crossing because it was fastest and would be less disruptive for road and rail users during construction.
Major construction on the Station Street level crossing project will begin in 2024.
There has been six near-misses at the Officer crossing since 2012.
The closure removes the risk of incidents between cars, trains and pedestrians.
For locals that use the Station Street level crossing regularly, access north and south of the Pakenham Line via the Siding Road underpass remains open, 450m east of Station Street. The 1.9km detour takes approximately four minutes.
Drivers can access Princes Highway and Princes Freeway via Brunt Road, where the government is removing the level crossing to improve traffic flow and increase safety. This 2.8km detour takes approximately five minutes for drivers.
For locals who use this level crossing regularly, access north and south of the Pakenham line via the Siding Road underpass will remain open – around 450 metres east of Station Street.
The community is invited to provide feedback on the level crossing removal at Station Street, Beaconsfield, and the closures at Station Street, Officer.
Visit the online hub at engage.vic.gov.au to have your say by 11.59pm on Sunday 30 October.
