Construction To Start On Melbourne’s Controversial Skyrail ‘within Weeks’

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• published: 24 Apr 2016
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The State Government's controversial Sky Rail project between the CBD and Dandenong is set to see construction start within WEEKS, after contracts were signed this morning. Treasurer Tim Pallas and Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said fencing and site preparation works would start first and that community feedback had helped their final designs. Treasurer @timpallas announces $1.6bil Skyrail contract signed. Work to start within weeks @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/JfM9m51rKa — Andrew Lund (@andrew_lund) April 22, 2016 Ms Allan said she could understand that some people were still opposed to the project but their was also strong support for getting rid of the nine level crossings across the Cranbourne-Packenham lines. The project will include three elevated rail sections, which will cover about 8KMs of the city. Vic sky rail work to start 'within weeks' AAP 2 days ago By Julian Drape Work will start "within weeks" on the controversial sky rail project that will elevate a Melbourne train line to remove nine dangerous level crossings, the Victorian government says.Preliminary works are scheduled to begin at the end of April on the $1.6 billion project between the city and Dandenong, after contracts were signed on Friday with an alliance including Lendlease and Metro Trains Melbourne.The state government hopes the project will be completed by the end of 2018 with the Dandenong line closed for 25 days during construction.Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan on Friday acknowledged "a number" of residents concerned about elevated sections of rail overlooking their properties had spoken to the Level Crossing Removal Authority about selling their houses to the government.Treasurer Tim Pallas rejected opposition suggestions Labor hadn't followed due process in awarding the contracts."We've gone through a very rigorous process of competitive tendering here," he told reporters, adding Lendlease wasn't given any preferential treatment after the East West Link tollway it was due to build was scrapped."They won this on merit."As well as removing nine level crossings, the sky rail project involves the construction of five new stations and the creation of 11 MCG's worth of new public open space.Liberal MP David Davis said Mr Andrews had "no mandate to build this cheap and nasty eyesore" and that residents had been "hoodwinked"."Despite Daniel Andrews' efforts to paint sky rail as a utopian paradise, everyone knows it will be a crime magnet with all sorts of unsavoury and anti-social behaviour around it," he said. Go to MSN Home More in News Curry crisis: Why a third of UK restaurants may shut The Independent Monkey uses touch-screen to choose baby's name ABC News Andrew Johns' act of generosity AAP Princes Charles has a crack at Hamlet AAP Mum forced to dump gallons of breast milk at airport Mirror Is this the Republicans' best bet to stop Trump? The Guardian. Vic sky rail work to start 'within weeks' AAP 2 days ago By Julian Drape Work will start "within weeks" on the controversial sky rail project that will elevate a Melbourne train line to remove nine dangerous level crossings, the Victorian government says.Preliminary works are scheduled to begin at the end of April on the $1.6 billion project between the city and Dandenong, after contracts were signed on Friday with an alliance including Lendlease and Metro Trains Melbourne.The state government hopes the project will be completed by the end of 2018 with the Dandenong line closed for 25 days during construction.Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan on Friday acknowledged "a number" of residents concerned about elevated sections of rail overlooking their properties had spoken to the Level Crossing Removal Authority about selling their houses to the government.Treasurer Tim Pallas rejected opposition suggestions Labor hadn't followed due process in awarding the contracts."We've gone through a very rigorous process of competitive tendering here," he told reporters, adding Lendlease wasn't given any preferential treatment after the East West Link tollway it was due to build was scrapped."They won this on merit."As well as removing nine level crossings, the sky rail project involves the construction of five new stations and the creation of 11 MCG's worth of new public open space.Liberal MP David Davis said Mr Andrews had "no mandate to build this cheap and nasty eyesore" and that residents had been "hoodwinked"."Despite Daniel Andrews' efforts to paint sky rail as a utopian paradise, everyone knows it will be a crime magnet with all sorts of unsavoury and anti-social behaviour around it," he said.