By Mitchell Clarke
A new road bridge has finally replaced a dangerous level crossing after years of advocacy, with the communities of Lyndhurst, Lynbrook and Cranbourne West officially connected again.
Since Evans Road was closed at the level crossing in 2005, road users have been forced to choose between taking “huge risks” travelling across the rail line or to take “extremely time-consuming” detours.
But the new 620-metre road bridge – which officially reopened on 31 October – has made for a faster and safer journey for motorists.
It was built using 135,000 tonnes of compacted earth, 450 tonnes of Australian-made steel and more than 3000 cubic metres of locally sourced concrete.
The level crossing removal is the 39th to be scrapped across the state, and the first to be gone from the Cranbourne Line.
By 2025, every single crossing between Cranbourne and the city will be removed, as part of the line’s $1 billion upgrade.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the major construction projects were progressing well, with Pakenham’s Cardinia Road level crossing also set to be finished ahead of schedule.
“With 39 level crossings now gone, we’re well ahead of schedule and we’re not slowing down – works are underway on 20 crossing removal projects right now to bust congestion right across our city,” Ms Allan said.
“Getting rid of the Evans Road crossing is the first step in our massive Cranbourne Line upgrade – removing every single level crossing and duplicating the line to get people in the south-east home safer and sooner.”
Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards said for tens of thousands of locals, the connection between the neighbouring communities had finally been restored.
“Finally the communities of Lyndhurst, Cranbourne West and Lynbrook are reunited after 15 years,” she said.
The Lynbrook Residents Association (LRA) have long been advocating for a permanent fix to Evans Road, which was closed in 2005.
In 2015, frustrated residents joined former City of Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon at the site, calling for action.
LRA secretary Margie Raman said the new road bridge had been a long time coming.
“They were spending a lot of money developing this area and were building roads left, right and centre, but Evans Road was never included,” she said.
“There was a strong push from the local residents to have the road done up, and finally it’s happened. I think it looks fantastic.”
Ms Raman believes the road will link up the community a lot better and allow locals to freely travel without stress.
“It’s a lot more convenient, we think this will help people in a lot of ways,” she explained.
“Lynbrook Village has a Coles. Marriott Waters have a Woolworths and Aldi, so this makes it a lot easier to commute. These days people won’t just go to one supermarket, they like to compare prices.”
But she hopes the major construction project will also spur on more local upgrades in the area.
“Now that we’ve got this overpass, it should make a huge difference to the area around Evans Road,” Ms Raman said.
“It was a neglected area so I hope it will inspire more growth. Maybe now they’ve done this, there’ll be some more development in the next four to five years.”
According to the State Government, work is set to continue around the Evans Road site over the coming months.
More than 46,000 trees, shrubs and grasses will be planted in a bid to create a green space for the community to enjoy.
Meanwhile, the new Merinda Park Station will soon begin to take shape with the eastern platform canopy installed and excavation of the station underpass starting.
A 600-metre rail bridge over Greens Road – the next level crossing to be removed on the line – will also start to rise from the ground over coming months.
The Cranbourne line upgrade, Metro Tunnel and new high-capacity trains are set to create space for 121,000 extra weekly passengers during peak periods on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.
