Over 700 locals recently turned out to celebrate the end of works at the Clyde Road level crossing removal project, with the project dubbed ‘a fantastic piece of infrastructure’ at the event in Melbourne’s south east.
The dangerous and congested level crossing at Clyde Road, Berwick was removed in February this year, by building a road underpass beneath the rail line.
Local Rotary Club member Gus Dominguez said the new Clyde Road underpass has had a significant impact, as previously it could take half an hour to cross the railway.
'If you lived in this area, you were most likely very unhappy with the level crossing that we had before, the queues were tremendous. This is a fantastic piece of infrastructure for the town, no questions asked,' Gus said.
The level crossing removal has also improved commute times for volunteers at the Berwick Country Fire Authority.
'From a brigade level, for us from down south having to come across it’s a lot better to have it out of the way as that used to be a big factor turning up for work. If the train came, you weren't going to make it to station,' Ernest Tay said.
The community event in Buchanan Park held on Saturday 23 July, featured free food and coffee, face painting, live music and dance performances, children’s activities, a treasure hunt with prizes, and even a magician.
Talented students from St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar were on hand to answer questions about their artwork currently on display at Berwick Station.
The Clyde Road level crossing was the 12th to be removed along the Pakenham Line, with nine more to go to make it boom-gate free by 2025, paving the way for more services more often for commuters in Melbourne’s south east.
The Level Crossing Removal Project is also delivering the new Berwick Station bus interchange, which will double the number of bus bays and improve accessibility for passengers. The bus interchange is scheduled for completion later this year.
