The boom gates are gone, but the traffic woes go on for St Albans, according to one resident.
Despite the removal of level crossings at Main and Furlong roads, traffic continues at a crawl around the Sunbury line tracks.
Level Crossing Removal Authority project director Tony Hedley said ongoing works had required lane closures near the new St Albans and Ginifer stations.
He said there would also be temporary closures around St Albans station while new retail premises and a bus interchange are being built.
Construction crews are also finishing off asphalting, line-marking, installing pedestrian crossings and other road works for the crossing removal projects, he said.
“The boom gates at St Albans used to be down for more than half the morning peak, causing frustration, distress and delay for thousands of motorists every day,” Mr Hedley said.
“Removing them has already improved safety and reduced congestion, with traffic flow to improve further when finishing work around the station is complete.” Mr Hedley confirmed the project was on track for completion by the middle of this year.
St Albans resident Salvatore Aldieri said traffic had not improved despite the removal of the two level crossings, and he questioned whether VicRoads needs to reconfigure the sequence of traffic lights to reflect changes to the road network.
VicRoads declined to comment on this issue until all works relating to the level crossing removal projects are complete. Meanwhile, pedestrian access to St Albans station is being affected by works throughout April. The only entrance to the station will be via its north-corner at St Albans Road and Main Road East until late April.
McKechnie Street will be closed again for four nights from Sunday, April 9, to Thursday, April 13, between 8pm and 5am, to allow crews to complete road surfacing and asphalting.
McKechnie Street will remain open during the day. On these dates, crews will also be working to complete the asphalting and line-marking of Main Road East and West, where lane closures should be expected.
