By Alesha Capone
The Monte Villa Motor Inn on Old Geelong Road could be demolished as part of the removal of the Hoppers Crossing level crossing.
The state government last week announced it will fast-track removal of the Hoppers Crossing level crossing, with completion scheduled for the end of 2022.
According to artists impressions of the state government’s preferred design, a new road bridge would be constructed over the current site of the Monte Villa Motor Inn, directly connecting Old Geelong and Heaths roads with the Princes Highway.
Treasurer Tim Pallas last week revealed the preferred design for the Hoppers Crossing site, in addition to the preferred designs for the Werribee Street and Cherry Street level crossing removals.
Mr Pallas said that at the last state election, the government had promised to remove the Hoppers Crossing level crossing by 2025, but the project had been moved forward.
The removal of the crossing, which is located on Old Geelong Road, will be carried out alongside works to remove the two Werribee crossings, with construction set to start next year.
At Cherry Street, the preferred design will see a new road bridge built east of the existing crossing, linking Tarneit Road to the Princes Highway via what is currently the irrigation channel next to Wyndham council’s offices.
The preferred design to remove the Werribee Street level crossing will elevate the railway line over the road.
Mr Pallas said it was hoped that removal of the three level crossings at the same time would “minimise disruption to the community”.
Mr Pallas said one private business might have to be acquired to make way for the Hoppers Crossing level crossing’s preferred design and that the Level Crossing Removal Project (LCRP) was involved in “preliminary discussions” with the business.
He declined to name the business.
Mr Pallas said the cost of removing the level crossing would not be known until tenders were submitted.
He said the LCRP and the state government would consult the community about the preferred designs for the level crossing removals.
The owners of the Monte Villa Motor Inn did not respond to Star Weekly’s request for comment.
Details: levelcrossings.vic.gov.au
