HOBSONS BAY: Altona crossing designs released
Final designs for the removal of the Maidstone St level crossing at Altona have been released. Major construction is set to begin in the coming months.
The new road bridge will feature patterned and textured surfaces finished in earthy browns, oranges and muted purples, while porthole-inspired windows will give pedestrians on the bridge views of the surrounding grasslands and the You Yangs.
Removing the level crossing and building a road bridge over the Werribee Line will boost safety, slash travel times and give drivers a more reliable journey through the busy industrial area, said a Government representative.
A new pedestrian path will be built along the west side of the bridge linking to an existing footpath network.
The designs also include new street lighting over the road bridge to enhance safety, and landscaping featuring more than 70 native trees and 12,000 plants, shrubs and grasses chosen to reflect the biodiversity of the nearby Altona Grasslands.
More than 14,000 vehicles travel through the level crossing each day, with the boom gates down more than 20 per cent of the morning peak.
With more frequent train services set to start running on the Werribee Line, boom gates would be down for even longer, increasing traffic gridlock and the risk of collisions.
Site establishment and early works to remove the crossing have now started, with major construction set to begin in the coming months, and the boom gates gone for good in 2027 – ahead of the Werribee Line becoming level crossing free by 2030.
Sonya Kilkenny (pictured), Acting Transport Infrastructure, said: “We’re getting on with removing every level crossing on the Werribee Line – to slash congestion and improve safety for both drivers and train passengers.”
“Getting rid of the dangerous and congested level crossing at Maidstone St will deliver more reliable travel times and the dedicated footpath across the bridge will provide pedestrians a safer way to cross the rail line.”
Williamstown MLA Melissa Horne said: “This is a great project that will benefit motorists and businesses alike with this level crossing removal increasing productivity for many of the logistics businesses close by.”