Growing up in the south eastern Melbourne suburb of Oakleigh, I was all too familiar with the vexed Clayton railway crossing. Recent Victorian Government data showed that drivers are delayed up to 87 minutes in the morning peak times of 7am-9am at this notorious crossing. In such a busy thoroughfare, with motorists heading to work, Monash University or ambulances rushing to Monash Medical Centre, delays like this are unacceptable. With the consultation of traffic management Melbourne professionals, helping to remove this frustrating and dangerous level crossing, motorists will be happier and on their way much sooner, leading to increased productivity within their community.
One thing that may slow down this progress is the disgruntled residents who aren't happy with the proposed sky rail. Unfortunately the Government didn't gauge the communities opinions in earnest before releasing their plans. Opinions were only sought from locals the night before the plans were released. The Victorian Governments consultation approach was to design the project, announce it, then shield against any negativity that predictably sprung up. Hopefully this doesn't swing against them at the next election, as a project of this scale not only creates thousands of new jobs, but will also ease traffic congestion in bustling suburbs.
On a positive note, residents now have the opportunity to have a say with what features they would like to be installed on the 225, 000 square meters of land that will be opened up by elevating the railway. Besides increased parking spaces at stations, there are proposals for a 12km bike and walking track, parks, playgrounds and sports facilities such as netball/basketball courts. Imagine the benefits these facilities will bring to the community! More space for families to play and exercise, as well as encouraging more sustainable transport methods for future generations.
Although this proposal may seem daunting to irate residents, it certainly isn't new to Melbourne. Many suburbs already feature elevated sky rail, such as the Glen Waverly line and through large sections of Richmond and Collingwood. By having the trains above road level, these already heavily frequented roads are less congested with frequent stops to let trains pass. Traffic on Punt Road in Richmond is already crowded enough, now picture what it would be like if the trains were on street level? A nightmare is the correct answer! Besides the positive outcomes to traffic, there are also benefits for rail passengers with faster travel times.
Construction on this sky rail project is due to start this year, with a proposed finish by the next Victorian Government state election in late 2018. I'm looking forward to experiencing the finished result of this major traffic management Melbourne project. Taking the children to specialist appointments at the renown Monash Medical Centre will be far less stressful and much more safer with the removal of the Clayton Road rail crossing. With the 1st level crossing removal complete at Burke Road, commuters are already enjoying the benefits of less congestion and more time to do the things they enjoy.
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