Final designs have been unveiled for a new road bridge to remove the dangerous level crossing at Brunt Road, Beaconsfield, as major works get underway.
A new road bridge is being built over the Pakenham Line, improving safety and easing congestion for the 8,400 drivers passing through each day.
With two near misses and one collision since 2012, a new road bridge will separate vehicles and trains and will remove the risk of incidents.
Following community feedback, the updated designs feature new walking and cycling connections, improved lighting and native planting, including more than 50,000 trees, plants, shrubs and grasses.
A new shared use path will connect to existing pedestrian links, improving accessibility in the local area.
The bridge will be screened in natural, earthy tones, tying in with the area’s history as a brick producing region and the clay soils found locally.
Pakenham MP Emma Vulin recently visited the site and is pleased with the designs.
“I’m pleased to see these final designs reflect the feedback provided by locals, and thrilled that we are getting on with the job of removing this dangerous level crossing at Brunt Road,“ she said.
With major works underway – including relocating services and starting works on the foundations for the new bridge – locals can look forward to safer, boom gate-free journeys when the new road bridge opens by 2025.
This project contributes to the Victorian Government’s commitment to make the Pakenham Line level crossing free, with 22 to be removed.
When combined with the completion of the Metro Tunnel, as well as bigger trains and high-capacity signalling, up to 121,000 extra peak hour passengers will be able to travel on the Pakenham Line each week.
Work is also powering ahead to remove three dangerous and congested level crossings in nearby Pakenham and build new stations at Pakenham and East Pakenham.
The level crossing removal project is removing 110 level crossings across Melbourne by 2030, with 70 already gone for good, boosting safety and easing congestion.
