Another dangerous and congested level crossing will be removed in the state’s manufacturing centre in a move to make the Pakenham Line level-crossing free in 2025, with a new road bridge to be built in Melbourne’s south-east.
The new road bridge will connect Fowler Road and Progress Street, providing businesses in this busy industrial precinct with safer access to Princes Highway via South Gippsland Highway. The Fowler Road and South Gippsland Highway intersection will also be upgraded and signalised to improve traffic flow and ease congestion.
There have been 5 near misses at the Progress Street, Dandenong South level crossing since 2012 where the boom gates are down for nearly a quarter of the morning peak, causing congestion for the 5,200 vehicles that use the crossing each day.
Building a new connection to the South Gippsland Highway means the nearby level crossing at Progress Street can be closed, improving safety and reducing impacts on manufacturers and the transport and freight industry.
The road bridge design allows our project team to build a bridge without disturbing the Eumemmerring Creek which is an ecologically sensitive waterway.
A new pedestrian path across the new bridge will also provide better local connections for pedestrians and cyclists and future-proof any connections either side of the bridge.
The community is now invited to provide feedback on the Progress Street level crossing removal including how they travel around the area. Community feedback will be used to inform the design of the road bridge and surrounds. Consultation closes at 11:59pm, Sunday 30 October 2022.
Have your say at Engage Victoria.
There are 9 more sets of boom gates to go by 2025 to make the Pakenham Line level crossing-free, with 13 already gone for good.