Regional Victoria on track for more life-saving level crossing upgrades

Regional railway crossings across Victoria will receive important safety upgrades thanks to over $54 million in shared funding from the Albanese Labor Government and the Allan Labor Government.

The 32 high-priority railway level crossing improvements across the state’s regional rail network are being funded under Round 2 of the Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund (RLCUF) which is jointly funded by both levels of government.  

In the Ararat and Pyrenees council areas, eight level crossings will share in $14 million of funding. 

This includes the level crossing at Challicum Road, near Dip Road in Buangor. South of Coach Road and near the Historic Buangor Railway Station, the crossing currently relies on flashing lights and signage as the only safety measures. 

The $1.8 million upgrade will deliver boom gates and axle counters providing a much safer crossing for locals and tourists to the area.   

In the Ararat Rural City Council area, upgrades are also being delivered to level crossings at Gravel Route Road in Buangor, Greenhill Lake Road in Ararat, Military Bypass Road in Armstrong, Porters Bridge Road in Tatyoon, and Warrayatkin Road in Dobie. 

Next door in the Pyrenees Shire both the Finnegan Road and Old Shirley Road level crossings will also receive upgrades to deliver boom gates and axle counters.  

The RLCUF aims to improve railway crossing safety in regional areas and reduce serious and fatal accidents that have a devastating impact on communities.

The 32 level crossing upgrades across Victoria will include treatments such as installing boom gates, axle counters, flashing lights and signage.

The state and federal Labor Governments are working together to deliver critical safety upgrades that ensure people living in regional and rural areas can get where they need to go safely and efficiently.    

For more information visit: Regional Australia Level Crossing Safety Program

Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“The Albanese Government is committed to improving railway crossing safety across Victoria and the country through the Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund.

“From Swan Hill to Gippsland, this funding is supporting upgrades like boom gates, signage, flashing lights and rumble strips, to better alert motorists and pedestrians approaching regional railway crossings.

“We will continue to work with the Victorian Government to make level crossing safer across the state.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Gabrielle Williams:

“We are getting on with delivering important safety upgrades right across Victoria’s regional rail network that will save lives.”

“There’s nothing more important than getting home safe – that’s why we are making the necessary investments across the state.”

“After 10 years of neglect from the Federal Liberal National Government it’s great to have a partner in Canberra that knows where Victoria is on a map and invests in critical infrastructure that people rely on every day.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett: 

“Country level crossings can be dangerous places for motorists, pedestrians and train drivers. 

“These upgrades will make such a difference to the people who drive through these level crossings every day. I’m really proud to be delivering these upgrades in partnership with the Albanese Government.”  

Funded Victorian projects – Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund: