Melbourne is facing unprecedented population growth in the coming decades, which will result in an increase in travel demands. Plan Melbourne 2014 stated that, by 2050, Melbourne’s road and rail network will need to accommodate an additional 10.7 million daily trips, on top of the 14.2 million daily trips recorded in 2014.  

The Level Crossing Removal Program (LXRP) is one of the Victorian Government’s key transport infrastructure projects. Part of an overarching policy to improve Melbourne’s transport network, its stated aim is to remove 50 of the most dangerous and congested level crossings.

Following its election in 2014, the government upheld its pre-election commitment to remove 50 crossings by 2022. The May 2015 Budget included an additional commitment to remove 20 crossings by 2018. Since the LXRP’s announcement, the government has identified an additional two level crossings for removal, bringing the total to 52.