Toorak Road level crossing removal announced

One of Melbourne’s major congestion hot spots, the level crossing at Toorak Road in Kooyong, is to be removed using a rail bridge design solution.

Following technical investigations undertaken over recent months, a rail bridge was found to be best solution as it has the shortest construction time meaning less disruption for residents and commuters and the least disruption to major underground utility services.

The rail bridge design also provides the greatest community benefit. It will facilitate new open spaces beneath and beside the rail line and provides the best opportunity to reinstate landscaping, with these elements to be the subject of community engagement.

Around 37,000 vehicles travel through the Toorak Road level crossing every day, with boom gates down for 35 per cent of the morning peak. As well as easing the bottleneck on one of Melbourne’s major arterial roads, removing the level crossing will make the area safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Major construction is set to begin later in 2019, with works due to be complete by 2021.

Find out more about the Toorak Road level crossing removal.