Wyndham council is sourcing design options for removal of its level crossings.
The council’s city transport department has hired an external consultant to detail the best options for the removal of its Werribee Street, Cherry Street and Hoppers Crossing level crossings – even though Hoppers Crossing is not on the state government’s list of 50 crossings to be removed by 2022.
Wyndham mayor Henry Barlow said the findings, expected to be completed by the end of this year, will give the council “a sound evidence base to present strong advocacy to the Level Crossing Removal Authority for grade separations that maximise outcomes for Wyndham residents”.
Cr Barlow said the council was continuing its push to have the Hoppers Crossing level crossing grade separation added to the state government’s agenda.
“The latest figures show that 67,200 vehicles use the intersections surrounding this level crossing every day,” he said. “It makes sense to consider the removal of these three crossings together given their close proximity to each other, and we will continue to advocate strongly on this point.”
But Werribee MP Tim Pallas ruled out removing the Hoppers Crossing level crossing at the same time as the Werribee and Cherry street crossings when asked by Star Weekly last week.
“We understand council’s concerns with dangerous level crossings – that’s why we’re focusing on removing 50, including the two in Werribee, before considering additional sites,” Mr Pallas said.
“Initial planning and investigations are under way at Werribee and Cherry streets and there will be a number of opportunities for the community to provide feedback as the project progresses.”
An alliance led by McConnell Dowell, Arup and Mott McDonald – which is removing the Kororoit Creek Road crossing in Williamstown North – will be granted the contract to remove the crossings at Cherry and Werribee streets and three others across Melbourne if it meets the government’s performance measures with its current project.
