Work to remove two level crossings at St Albans is expected to begin next month.
Announcing the contract for crossing removals at Furlong and Main roads last Tuesday, Premier Daniel Andrews said both would be gone by 2017.
“These dangerous and congested level crossings are crippling our road network and putting lives at risk,” the Premier said. “Boom gates are down for nearly an hour on average each morning, holding ambulances and other emergency service vehicles hostage when minutes matter.”
Opposition Leader and Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten told Federal Parliament it was “long-overdue good news”.
“Christian Dejanovic was killed at the Main Road crossing, St Albans, in January 2012,” he said.
“Since that terrible day, his mother Dianne has campaigned tirelessly to have those level crossings removed.
“Today’s announcement simply would not have happened without Dianne’s efforts and I thank her on behalf of the entire St Albans community,” Mr Shorten said.
Several buildings near the Main Road crossing have been demolished in recent weeks.
St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman said the crossings had claimed 16 lives over the past decade.
“More than 30,000 vehicles are held hostage by these congested death traps every day,” she said. “These include ambulances trying desperately to get to Sunshine Hospital.”
