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General News

27 March, 2024

Avoca crossing safety improved

Almost daily, students like Ryder and Bella-Grace make their way across a railway line located just minutes away from the Avoca Primary School — and a recent upgrade will make this journey significantly safer. A new pedestrian crossing, worth...

By Prealene Khera

The installation of a new pedestrian crossing at Avoca’s Homebush Road will ensure peace of mind for locals, including children, going over the railway line — with the completion of the project welcomed by Martha Haylett, along with Avoca Primary School’s Tom Elliott, Bella-Grace and Ryder.
The installation of a new pedestrian crossing at Avoca’s Homebush Road will ensure peace of mind for locals, including children, going over the railway line — with the completion of the project welcomed by Martha Haylett, along with Avoca Primary School’s Tom Elliott, Bella-Grace and Ryder.

Almost daily, students like Ryder and Bella-Grace make their way across a railway line located just minutes away from the Avoca Primary School — and a recent upgrade will make this journey significantly safer.

A new pedestrian crossing, worth $500,000, has been built over the rail tracks on Homebush Road in a bid to ensure added protection with a number of freight trains passing through the area every day.

Funded by the State Government, the project involved installing around 50 metres of concrete pathway, laying asphalt crossing over the rail tracks, improving drainage, new line markings and placing two streetlights on either side of the crossing.

According to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett, it’s an important step forward, one that will improve access for all residents.

“Many locals raised their concerns with the lack of safety at the railway crossing along Homebush Road with me,” she said.

“I spoke directly with the Minister for Transport Infrastructure and advocated for a crossing upgrade. I’m so pleased this has now paid off, with a safer pedestrian crossing for Avoca Primary School students and all locals.

“Parents now feel so much safer walking their kids to school — it’s a great result for the community.”

The safety-focussed development also comes as more freight is being delivered through Avoca on the Ararat-Maryborough line — which is situated in close proximity to the town’s popular glow-in-the-dark silo.

A key section of Victoria's freight network, the line underwent a significant track upgrade in 2022 as part of the Murray Basin Rail Project, which has increased freight capacity for approved wagons to 21-tonne axle loading, while a new passing loop at Elmhurst will come into operation later this year to provide greater flexibility for the network.

The new crossing will benefit all residents, especially Avoca Primary School students Bella-Grace and Ryder according to the school’s acting principal Tom Elliott and Member for Ripon Martha Haylett.
The new crossing will benefit all residents, especially Avoca Primary School students Bella-Grace and Ryder according to the school’s acting principal Tom Elliott and Member for Ripon Martha Haylett.
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