St Albans and Ginifer railway stations will go underground as works start to eliminate two dangerous level crossings in the area.
The state government last week named Leighton Contractors, and Aurecon and Hyder Consulting to design and carry out the crossing works at Main and Furlong roads with the rail line to be lowered under the road.
PTV VIDEO FEATURING ST ALBANS AND GINIFER STATIONS
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Level crossing works will begin in coming months. Star Weekly understands the train line will remain at ground level between the two crossings.
St Albans and Ginifer stations will be rebuilt with platforms below street level. A time line for each project is not known.
Former St Albans Trader Association vice- president Asip Demiri, a long-time critic of the deadly crossings, said it was a great result for the Brimbank community.
“It’s one of the happiest things in my life,” he said. “It’s long, long overdue, but that’s irrelevant now. We can put the horrible past behind us.”
The Age has reported that compulsory acquisition of some businesses in St Albans is required and that Transport Minister Jacinta Allan has indicated the talks about this are almost complete.
St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman is to lead a stakeholder liaison group, made up of residents and representatives of Brimbank council, the St Albans Traders Association, Sunshine Hospital and Victoria University, which will host information sessions for residents to learn more about the project and view designs.
“These level crossings clog our roads, put local lives at risk and stop us running more trains,” she said. “As part of the level crossing removal works, St Albans and Ginifer stations will be completely rebuilt, making them safer, more accessible and more user-friendly.”
