Victoria on track for life-saving level crossing upgrades

Railway crossings in Victoria are on track to receive significant upgrades thanks to the Australian Government’s Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund (RLCUF).

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 Australian Government has committed $160 million over four years to state and territory governments to fund up to 50 per cent of the cost of delivering railway crossing upgrades.

The Victorian Government will fund 50 per cent of projects costs and receive $5 million in the first round of funding, which will go towards a proposed program of works across regional Victoria.

The proposed list includes five priority areas for railway crossing improvements to tourist and heritage projects in regional and urban areas. 

These upgrades include installing boom barriers, axle counters, and a pedestrian maze with automatic gates and electromagnetic latches on the emergency exit gates.

Give-way signs at two sites will also be upgraded to boom barriers and flashing lights.

More information on the RLCUF and its guidelines is available on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts website.

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

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

“This funding will provide upgrading of treatments such as signage, boom gates, flashing and rumble strips, to better alert motorists and pedestrians approaching regional railway crossings.

“This funding is part of the broader Regional Australia Level Crossing Safety Program (RALCSP), which is investing $180 million to deliver a coordinated and holistic approach to improving railway crossing safety across the country.

“The RALCSP also invests in education and awareness activities on how to behave safely around railway crossings, improved data and risk assessments, along with research and trials to promote low-cost, innovative safety solutions.”

Quotes attributable to Acting Victorian Public and Active Transport Minister Melissa Horne:

“This is great news for Victoria and the railway crossing upgrades will deliver a huge boost for the priority locations that we have identified across our state.

“These upgrades will reduce the risk of serious and even fatal incidents and crashes, and improve the overall safety of our railway crossings for years to come.

“This funding builds on the Victorian Government’s signature level crossing program that is removing dangerous and congested boom gates across the state.”

Funded projects: