The Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) of Victoria has awarded a contract to an alliance for the Caulfield to Dandenong level crossing removal project in Melbourne, Australia.
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The alliance includes Lendlease, CPB Contractors, WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, Aurecon and Metro Trains Melbourne. Under the deal, they will be responsible for the design and construction of the $1.2bn project.
Work will include removal of nine dangerous level crossings, construction of five new stations, upgrading of signalling and power, and the creation of new public open spaces. Work is scheduled to start at the end of this month and is expected to be completed in 2018.
The project will improve the reliability of the metropolitan, regional and freight services. It is part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to remove at least 20 level crossings by 2018, and 50 by 2022.
Along with an order for 65 new high-capacity metro trains by the Labor Government, the project will help create space for 11,000 extra passengers on Melbourne’s busiest rail line.
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By GlobalDataVictoria Treasurer Tim Pallas said: "The project to eliminate these congested death traps is about to begin, and 2000 jobs are about to be created.
"This project will deliver more room, on more trains to carry more people on Melbourne’s busiest rail line. It’s needed now, and we’re not going to waste a day. We’re going to get it done."
Royal Botanic Gardens CEO Tim Entwisle will be responsible for overseeing the project. The authority has established a trust fund to ensure the new space created under the project is safe, green and maintained in the long-term.
The LXRA has also released the Consultation Outcomes and Submissions Report, which summarises feedback it has received from the community. As a result of such feedback, a range of measures have been incorporated, including escalators at all the new stations, more bike paths with better lighting, noise walls along the structure, and more car parking.
Victoria Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said: "If we don’t build this project, our roads will grind to a halt and our train system will be overwhelmed.
"Removing these crossings will relieve pressure on our roads and trains, and make communities along this line better places to live, with new parks, less traffic and more trains."
