The level crossings project in Brunswick that will deliver a massive upgrade to the Upfield Trail has moved into the early planning and design phase.
The project will remove eight level crossings by building elevated rail for more than two kilometres between Royal Park and Tinning Street.
A new Upfield Trail will be constructed under the elevated tracks with seperate bike and pedestrian paths from Moreland Road to Park Street, connecting to previously built elevated track between Moreland Road and Bell Street.
This will create one of Melbourne's best bike routes, and as well as providing more open space and community facilities for the suburb.
The Upfield Trail is a major conduit from the northern suburbs to the University and Parkville, the CBD and Docklands.
But it is miserably narrow in places, hemmed in with higgledy-piggledy fencing, and hampered by signalised crossings that are linked into rail boom-gate operation.
With the population of the Sydney Road corridor rising rapidly, the trail was facing severe capacity constraints, squeezed in between the property boundaries and the rail tracks.
Crossings are being removed at:
- Albert Street, Brunswick
- Albion Street, Brunswick
- Brunswick Road, Brunswick
- Dawson Street, Brunswick
- Hope Street, Brunswick
- Union Street, Brunswick
- Victoria Street, Brunswick
- Park Street, Parkville
Consultation on the design is now underway: https://engage.vic.gov.au/lxrp-brunswick-and-parkville/
People can make comments on a pin map, ask questions, fill in a survey and attend in-person and online information sessions.
Planning and investigations will continue through 2025 and 2026, with detailed design, further public consultation and early works underway in 2027 and 2028.
Construction will be underway by 2029 with completion during 2030.
Preliminary plans show that two new stations will be built, with three closed, and two of those being retained as heritage buildings for other purposes.
Feedback is open until 20 October 2024.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson says: “This project will be a game changer for Brunswick and Parkville – it will reduce congestion, deliver two brand new and accessible stations and pave the way for extra trains on the Upfield Line in the future.”
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