By Rowan Forster and Kyra Gillespie
Pakenham’s road network is set to be revolutionised by a behemoth 2.8 kilometre skyrail, if an Andrews Labor Government is returned to power.
All four “death-trap” level crossings would be scrapped and Pakenham Station transformed into a “Superstation” under the election pledge.
It comes during Star News Group’s Unblock the Gridlock campaign, highlighting the plight of road infrastructure and crippling congestion across Melbourne’s south east.
Premier Daniel Andrews, during a visit to Bourke Park, Pakenham on Thursday 1 November, said it has been long awaited for the community.
“The depot that we’ve built for the high capacity trains will be running on this line, which means these level crossing boom gates will be down the entire time in peak times, both morning and evening,” Mr Andrews said.
“That’s just not acceptable, that’s not our way, and we are going to get rid of these level crossings once and for all.
Mr Andrews stated that the massive project will be carried out by 2025 at the latest.
“We will get rid of these crossings as quickly as we can, and I’ll be confident that we’ll be able to bring these in before 2025 – but it could be earlier than that.
“We’re going to do it as fast as possible, do it properly, and make sure members of this local community are no longer stuck at the boom gates.”
Under the commitment, crossings at Racecourse Road, McGregor Road and Main Street would be demolished – creating kilometres of open space.
The level crossing at Cardinia Road will also be removed with a new road bridge over the rail line the most likely engineering solution.
The Pakenham “Superstation” will include a dedicated V/Line track and third platform to separate the regional and metropolitan trains.
“This is about a bigger and better station than the travelling public of Pakenham have had to put up with. We’re going to build a Superstation like Mernda or Noble Park; it’s going to be an elevated station, and exactly what these commuters are entitled to,” Mr Andrews said.
Labor is spruiking that the new station will improve reliability, and reduce congestion at Pakenham Station – streamlining services for Gippsland passengers.
The Premier also said no additional land will need to be acquired for the development.
The projects will create at least 1000 local jobs, using 100 per cent Australian steel.
To date, the crossings are inundated by about 63,000 vehicles travelling through every day.
According to Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan, the four crossings were identified as a priority under the Level Crossing Removal Authority and Transport for Victoria’s Future Level Crossing Prioritisation Framework.
“We are going to remove these dangerous, congested death traps from the town centre of Pakenham,” Minister Allan said.
“This train line has split the Pakenham community in half for years – so it’s time to connect the community again.”
The Public Transport Minister also said that Jordan Crugnale, the Labor candidate for Bass, had been instrumental in getting the project across the line.
“This is something that Jordan has been on my case about this for quite some time now,” she said.
Ms Crugnale said she was inspired by the Gazette’s roads congestion campaign.
“The paper has done an amazing job too around really activating everyone around this issue. It’s regularly on the front page and they have run surveys as well. It’s helped me too,” Ms Crugnale said.
“It’s something that Pakenham and the wider community have been screaming out for; most people are tired of the sound of boom gates and want them gone.”
In previous months, Star News highlighted that despite accommodating 12,000 cars per day, McGregor Road had not made the cut for the State Government’s flagship crossing removal program.
Overton Road, Frankston – despite having a daily traffic count of just 4000 cars – has already undergone the overhaul.
The race to triumph in November’s state election is gathering pace with caretaker mode kicking in this week.
According to the Victorian Electoral Commission, the Liberals hold the Bass electorate by 4.6 per cent.
Labor strategists have reportedly set their sights on the seat, encouraged by a surge in new voter enrolments they believe will favour Daniel Andrews.
Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen, who has long been critical of the “woeful” results on the Pakenham line, described it as a “very welcome announcement”.
“Removing the level crossings is a good move as it will allow more trains to run without affecting road traffic,” he said.
“The extra platform at the rebuilt Pakenham station should cutdelays for V/Line and Metro trains alike.”
Mr Bowen stressed the importance of a re-elected Andrews Government maintaining constant communication with nearby homeowners and businesses.
“Skyrail has been controversial in some areas, but does bring benefits, such as enabling open space below the rail line, and reduced noise from trains,” Mr Bowen added.
“However, it will be important for government to consult with local residents, particularly those closest to the rail line.
“A key issue for train passengers will be whether it can be constructed while trains continue to run, as was done with the crossings between Dandenong and Caulfield – thus cutting down on disruptions to rail services.”
