Design options for the removal of Williamstown’s dangerous Ferguson Street level crossing are to be presented for public consultation.
The Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan announced the move saying options to lower or raise the rail line were under active consideration by the project team, after a preliminary design assessment ruled out road-based options.
“The assessment will be provided for public consultation and outlines the benefits and impacts of each option,” Ms Allan said.
“Every level crossing is unique and several factors are considered when investigating designs,” she said.
“At Ferguson Street, options to raise or lower the road have been ruled out because of property acquisition and the impacts to connections for pedestrians, cyclists and road users.”
Ms Allan said the first phase of consultation, completed last year, provided valuable information about how people travelled through the area and what improvements would be a priority.
“Feedback from the first two phases of community engagement will continue to inform the design process as the project team considers the best way to remove the level crossing,” she said.
“This site has a tragic safety record, being the scene of a double fatality in the 1990’s and five accidents or near-miss incidents between trains, cyclists and pedestrians in the past decade.”
She said people could view the options and provide feedback at information sessions on 26 and 28 March at Williamstown Town Hall, or online until 3 April.
Ms Allan said the crossing was expected to be gone for good by 2022.
Further information, including how to have a say, can be accessed at this PS News link.
