The Victorian State Funded Level Crossing Upgrade Program
Project dates: 2019-2020
The Victorian State Funded Level Crossing Upgrade Program consists of important regional safety improvements through the upgrade of dangerous and unprotected level crossings. The program is led and delivered by V/Line but covers multiple rail operators including Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and Puffing Billy Railway.
To date, V/Line has upgraded over 50 sites. Complex factors including cultural heritage, environmental constraints and the physical separation between sites have been carefully considered throughout the upgrade. The positive impact to the surrounding residents and neighbourhoods is a safe and reliable level crossing allowing communities to travel to one another safely and stay connected.
The Level Crossing Upgrade Program has demonstrated innovation through a powerful new solar panel designed by the V/Line team to enable temporary power to be connected at any level crossing site for an indefinite amount of time. V/Line has now adopted this design across the business and uses it for all internal and external upgrades of level crossings where access to power may impact schedule. A set of standardised designs for new level crossings has also been developed to ensure that quality is consistent across all level crossings.
The program has recently been shortlisted as a finalist this year’s Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) 2020 Project Management Achievement Awards (PMAA) for Victorian Regional Project of the Year.