Work will begin this Sunday on removing the St Albans level crossing on Main Road in Melbourne, Australia, which has been blamed for the deaths of 16 people.
Under the A$222m project, the platforms at St Albans will be rebuilt below street level, and the rail line will pass under Main Road.
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Leighton Contractors, in partnership with Aurecon and Hyder Consulting will be responsible for carrying out the project, being jointly funded by the state and the federal governments.
Deputy prime minister and minister for infrastructure and regional development Warren Truss said: "The Australian Government’s A$4.8bn commitment to developing and improving transport infrastructure in Victoria will benefit the state’s ongoing economic and social development, and boost transport productivity and efficiency."
The Australian Government has committed A$151m towards the project, which was announced last April to reduce traffic and travel times and increase safety in the area.
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The project will remove the need for vehicles and pedestrians to stop at the level crossing.
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By GlobalDataOther works to be undertaken under the project include, rebuilding St Albans station, making the lowered platforms accessible through lifts, ramps and stairs, and reconstructing the station car park.
A walking and cycling path, and a pedestrian overpass will be built in the area, while the bus interchange will be relocated from Alfrieda Street to either side of the station.
Victoria senator Scott Ryan said: "Main Road is a major arterial passageway that connects the Western Ring Road at Sunshine North and Station Road at Albanvale, and the rail line through St Albans plays a crucial role in connecting Melbourne with Sunbury, Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca.
"During peak periods, the existing boom gates are closed for up to 18min each hour with vehicles queuing up to 400m either side of the level crossing."
Victorian minister for roads and road safety Luke Donnellan said the project will see removal of the deadly and congested bottleneck in St Albans, which creates local congestion, holding up motorists, cyclists and pedestrians for hours every day.
The Victorian Government has provided A$71.9m towards the project, which is expected to be completed in late 2016.
Image: Design of the St Albans Main Road project. Photo: courtesy of Vicroads.
