Fixing level crossings has been a major campaign pillar for the Andrews government. The government set up the Level Crossing Removal Project in 2014, after coming to power. The body has since removed 66 crossings (out of 85) around Melbourne, mainly by moving trains to elevated bridges.

Now, with a state election on the cards for November, the government has announced eight more level crossings will be removed on the Upfield Line by 2027. This follows five that have already been removed at Moreland Road in Brunswick; Camp Road in Campbellfield; and Reynard, Munro and Bell streets in Coburg.

The new sites are:

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Albert Street, Brunswick
Albion Street, Brunswick
Brunswick Road, Brunswick
Dawson Street, Brunswick
Hope Street, Brunswick
Union Street, Brunswick
Victoria Street, Brunswick
Park Street, Parkville

The government says about 71,000 vehicles travel through these eight level crossings during the morning peak on weekdays, and the boom gates are down for up to 30 minutes in total.

The new project will continue the elevated rail bridges already built in Coburg, with a new bike and pedestrian path created underneath in consultation with local residents, starting next year. Brunswick, Anstey and Jewel stations will be rebuilt entirely.

When the new project is complete, no level crossings will remain between Parkville and Coburg on the Upfield Line. The Andrews government is yet to reveal how much this new stage of the project will cost.