Each and every level crossing between Caulfield and Dandenong is officially gone for good – the single biggest level crossing removal project in Melbourne's history.
A new 3.2km stretch of elevated rail opened for passengers on Monday 18 June between Caulfield and Hughesdale, removing the final 4 of 9 dangerous and congested crossings along Melbourne’s busiest rail corridor.
Locals from Murrumbeena and Carnegie were excited to arrive at their new stations where they were greeted with music, giveaways and treats from local traders.
The historic removal of these 4 crossings means boom gates – previously down for up to 87 minutes each 2-hour morning peak – will never again hold up traffic at Poath, Murrumbeena, Koornang and Grange roads.
Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are already experiencing free-flowing traffic after crews carried away 4 sets of boom gates during night works last week – cheered on by hundreds of locals.
Now, work will move full steam ahead to build the new parks, paths and open space set to take the place of tired ground level tracks, connecting neighbourhoods and busy shopping strips long-divided by the rail line.
4 out of 5 new stations have also been rebuilt as part of the landmark project. 4 are now taking passengers, and a 5th at Hughesdale is set to be completed in coming months.
Hundreds of thousands of people will get home safer and sooner each day now that these crossings are gone.