The Furlong Road level crossing in St Albans could be removed at the same time as the Main Road level crossing in a new plan being considered by VicRoads.
VicRoads is running an online survey “to better understand the thoughts and experiences of the people who live, work and use the Furlong Road level crossing” as part of the state government’s plan to remove Victoria’s 50 most dangerous level crossings in the next eight years.
Similar surveys are also being conducted for level crossings at McKinnon Road, McKinnon; Centre Road, Bentleigh; Heatherdale Road, Mitcham; Mountain Highway and Scoresby Road in Bayswater; and Heatherton, Corrigan and Chandler roads in Noble Park.
The transport authority has already committed to removing the St Albans Main Road crossing and three others across the state, with works starting on those removals this year.
The online surveys will help the state government prioritise funding and construction at the remaining 46 level crossing locations.
“Bundling level-crossing removal projects, where they are in close proximity and located on the same rail line, could result in cost savings and reduce the impacts of construction on local communities and businesses and rail customers,” the VicRoads website says.
“This approach could allow local communities to realise the benefits of level-crossing removal projects sooner.”
Meanwhile, a construction date for the Melton Highway level crossing at Sydenham is also yet to be determined.
Sydenham MP Natalie Hutchins said boom gates at the Melton Highway level crossing were down, on average, 52 minutes during both the two-hour morning and afternoon peak periods, with traffic banking up up to five kilometres down either side of the level crossing.
State Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan would not confirm or deny whether the Furlong Road level crossing would be removed in conjunction with the Main Road project, but St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman said the online survey was a positive first step.
Ms Suleyman said the sooner the Furlong Road level crossing could be removed, the better.
“It makes sense – we’ve got two of the worst level crossings in Victoria,” she said.
“There’s only a couple of others that they’ve started the consultation on, so for Furlong Road to be part of that is a very positive step.
“I want to make sure that the community, residents and stakeholders have their say in relation to why it’s critical for Furlong Road level crossing to be removed. I encourage as many submissions as possible.”
The survey will run until April 4.
To have your say, go to http://bit.ly/1E1dMbX.
