Abbotts Road to remain open

Abbotts Road will remain open when the level crossing removal in Dandenong South is removed thanks to feedback received from the local businesses and the community.

Local businesses, commuters and land owners told us they strongly opposed the closure of Abbotts Road and as a result, we have ruled out that option.

We recognise the importance of Abbotts Road to the Dandenong South industrial precinct and appreciate that it is a key connection, linking large and small businesses to the surrounding freeways.

We have shortlisted 2 feasible options to remove the level crossing:

1. Building a rail bridge over Abbotts Road
2. Building a road bridge over the rail line

How did we shortlist these 2 options?

We have shortlisted the best of the possible rail options — to build a rail bridge over Abbotts Road; and the best of the possible road options — to build a road bridge over the rail line.

In determining the short list of feasible options, the project team undertook extensive community consultation, as well as a thorough multi-criteria assessment of each option.

Each site is unique and we recognise that Dandenong South is a growing employment and innovation hub and, as such, the impact on businesses is a key consideration in determining the final solution for this project. Other criteria include road and rail network efficiency, construction impacts, site characteristics, safety, value for money and future development in the area.

We will continue to consult with local business owners and operators, commuters and landowners to further develop the options and select a final solution to remove the level crossing.

What's next?

Further work needs to be done on both the shortlisted options to determine the best possible solution to remove the level crossing at Abbotts Road.

1. Rail over road – Further investigation, including additional site works in the coming weeks, is needed to ensure this option would protect future plans for the rail corridor, including the planned inland freight terminal at Lyndhurst.
2. Road over rail line – Further development of this option is needed to investigate whether impacts to businesses can be reduced.

Have your say

The community will have their say on further aspects of the project in coming months, with the feasible design options to be presented in more detail at community drop in sessions in July.

These sessions will be a chance for local business operators, landowners and other interested members of the community to contribute to the further refinement of the designs and the selection of a final solution, to be announced in August 2016.

In the meantime, if you have any concerns that you would like raised on your behalf by the Business Liaison Group, email us at contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au to be put in touch with a member who can discuss your specific concerns and raise them at the next meeting.

Come along to one of our community drop-in sessions and tell us what you think:

• Wednesday 20 July, 1pm to 3pm at AW Bell 145 Abbotts Road, Dandenong South
• Friday 22 July, 1pm to 3pm at AW Bell 145 Abbotts Road, Dandenong South

Business Liaison Group update

LXRP has established a business liaison group (BLG) to enhance community involvement in the planning of the level crossing removal, particularly in relation to minimising impacts on local businesses.

The BLG, comprising twelve members and chaired by local MP Gabrielle Williams, has met twice so far.

The project team took the group through the multi-criteria analysis of each of the 5 possible options to remove the Abbotts Road level crossing, seeking input from the BLG members on each option. Members supported LXRP's shortlist of 2 options, indicating a preference for the rail over road option.

The BLG will meet a four more times in the coming months to assist the project team to refine, select and finalise a solution for the Abbotts Road level crossing removal.

Project timeline

Development of design – 2016 (We are here)

• Release of feasible design options
• Further site investigations
• Development of solution
• Community consultation

Procurement – Early to late 2017

• Project is put to tender
• Contract to design and construct is awarded
• Designs are finalised with input from community

Delivery – 2018 to 2019

• Community consultation
• Early works
• Major construction
• Level crossing removed