Road-over-rail is the only option being considered for the Melton Highway level crossing removal, despite fears from residents that motorists will have clear views into their backyards.
The state government’s Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) has confirmed the road-over-rail decision.
Road-over-rail, which will include construction of a road running between Overton Lea Boulevard and the western entrance to the Watergardens Town Centre carpark, has been the authority’s “preferred proposed design” since the project was announced.
Several community consultation sessions were held in March and May and ongoing discussions are being held with Drysdale Avenue residents, whose properties will be most affected.
But one resident, who did not want to be named, said a road bridge would be an invasion of his family’s privacy.
“Our land backs on to the Melton Highway where the road bridge will be,” he said. “We’re concerned it will become a haven for youths to loiter there, and when traffic is banked up, they will have clear visibility of our backyard.”
The LXRA has said it was aware of community concern about the road-over-rail option, particularly in relation to the impact on Drysdale Avenue properties.
But in a Brimbank council report the authority said: “While community feedback is being considered and will inform final design, the road-over-rail option is the only option being considered.”
Road-over-rail was chosen because the area is built on dense basalt, which is difficult to tunnel through. The site is also on a high water table, making it prone to flooding.
A tunnel would also have required the rail sidings at Watergardens train station to be moved, which would be “expensive, would lengthen rail and commuting delays and potentially impact the station”, according to the LXRA’s website.
The level crossing removal was first announced as an election promise in 2014. That year, 2500 residents signed a petition calling for the crossing’s removal.
Bids for the contract to remove the crossing closed last week. The winning tender will be announced next month and the project is on track for works to start next year.
LXRA project director Tony Hedley said the authority would continue to consult with the community.
