By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council and residents have welcomed news that Wyndham will be level crossing-free within three years.
Wyndham mayor Mia Shaw said the council “had been in regular talks with the state government to get the Hoppers Crossing removal on the next package of funded removals included in this year’s state budget”.
“The state government heard our calls when we spoke of the delays our motorists experience every day – especially during peak hours – due to the complex road connection around this crossing and funded the early removal of the crossing,” Cr Shaw said.
“We encourage Wyndham residents to have their say on the project’s design options through the community consultation process.”
The preferred design for the Hoppers Crossing crossing will involve construction of a new road bridge over rail tracks, east of the existing crossing and directly connecting Princes Highway to Old Geelong and Heaths roads.
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.
After Star Weekly posted the news on Facebook last week, some residents said it was good news for the area.
Jason commented: “This is positive news compared to the previous anticipated completion date of 2025.”
Ramesh wrote: “This is good news for us residents here in the City of Wyndham.”
But other Facebook users wrote that the level crossing removal would create “major inconvenience” on the surrounding roads during construction. “I hope they’ve planned it well – I can only see chaos, the people who have the big plans don’t ride the trains,” Michelle wrote.
Liz wrote: “Why the hell wasn’t it done at the same time as all the road works around the hospital intersections? Oh that’s right inconvenience as many people as possible as often as possible!”
Paolo commented: “The businesses there along Old Geelong Rd will get screwed over no matter which design they choose.”
