Latest contract awarded for $1.6b Melbourne rail and road project

As the Victorian Government races towards its target of removing 75 level crossings across the Melbourne Metropolitan Region, the latest contract to be awarded is one of the biggest.

An alliance comprising of Laing O’Rourke, Jacobs and Metro (MTM) has been awarded a $496 million contract to remove the hazardous and overcrowded level crossings at Manchester Road, Mooroolbark and Maroondah Highway, Lilydale.

More than 53,000 vehicles use the crossings each day with boom gates down for up to a quarter of the morning peak.

Removing the level crossings by building rail bridges and building two new stations will decrease travel times, enhance connectivity across all modes of transport, improve safety and liveability, and support the local economy and jobs.

A multi-deck carpark will also be built at Mooroolbark station with up to 450 new and upgraded spaces, making it easier for people to find a park.

Construction will begin in mid-2020 and be completed in 2022.