The Level Crossing Removal Project is delivering a once-in-a-generation transformation of the metropolitan region by removing 110 level crossings, building new stations and undertaking other network improvement projects across Victoria’s transport network.
In 2015, the Victorian Government announced the creation of the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) to bring together the best public sector project delivery experts, private sector specialists and key technical advisors.
Following our appointment as Interim Technical Advisor, a Joint Venture (JV) with AECOM and GHD was established in 2016 and appointed as Technical Advisor (TA) to support LXRP as it delivers a once-in-a-generation transformation of the metropolitan region.
The project involves removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings, building new stations and undertaking network improvement projects such as rail line upgrades, commuter car parking, and stabling and maintenance facilities across Melbourne and regional Victoria.
We have been working with LXRP since 2015. In our role as technical advisors, we have provided delivery and project management support, technical advice relating to design optioneering, design development to reference design, digital transformation and innovation services, data collection, options assessment, engineering design, value engineering, cost estimating, planning and environmental approvals, business case development, precinct development and public and stakeholder consultation support.
Utilising the latest ground engineering technology, our experienced team has worked with LXRP, offering complete solutions for ground-related infrastructure to significantly reduce lifecycle costs and improve the performance of designed structures.
This has included:
The bridges and structures team currently provides the following services to LXRP:
Recognising that design solutions for each level crossing site can be a catalyst for positive urban renewal to reinvigorate and reconnect communities, our focus remains not only on reaching a functional solution that satisfies the project brief, but also creating places for people that are adaptable and encourage positive change.
Our urban design team is involved throughout the development process, working collaboratively with the transport planning, road, structural, civil and rail teams to deliver coordinated solutions that are site responsive and locally relevant. Throughout the process, our team also provides technical support to the stakeholder and communications team, conveying relevant details to the community and key stakeholders, while also providing a feedback loop in the design process.
Stakeholder and community engagement plays an integral role to the success of LXRP’s program, implemented from project establishment and planning, through to various design and development stages, as well as construction and delivery. This includes strategic planning, urban design, geotechnical and survey works, community engagement and support at community information sessions, door knocking and stakeholder liaising.
We support LXRP’s tailored engagement and communication strategies and programs and work closely with teams to deliver stakeholder and community engagement activities that keep communities informed.
As part of the TA, the team has worked closely with LXRP and has been involved in all elements of the project lifecycle including the following:
The transport engineering and planning team provides services to LXRP that are essential to achieving many of the benefits of the program, including:
To help achieve these benefits, the team has been assembled with a depth of capability that allows us to consider transport issues at both a strategic (city or regional transport network) and local (street, intersection) level, depending on project requirements.
A range of services have been conducted since the inception of the project, including:
The TA’s sustainability team works closely with LXRP to continuously improve sustainability outcomes for its projects and the industry. At the three-year point of the program, the TA’s sustainability team supported the assessment of LXRP’s sustainability program and the development of LXRP’s first sustainability strategic plan. The TA is also supporting the implementation of the strategic plan, helping LXRP drive change within its program of works, setting an example for the major infrastructure sector.
The TA facilitates multi-disciplinary workshops with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure the uptake of climate adaptation measures in planning, design and delivery.
Through the use of Navisworks, we are able to view the total project (if modelled in 3D). This can then be used for stakeholder presentations or for clash detection, depending on the level of detail applied to the models and the status of the project.
While the traditional outputs of GIS are still a central part when delivering complex engineering solutions, a lot of the applications and benefits are delivered outside a typical map product.
The systems and technologies now provide a lot more in-depth analysis and problem solving than ever before. The GIS platform now serves as a dissemination point for large complex datasets, visualisations and interoperability between the various technical disciplines.
The capability of the rail team covers the full spectrum of operational railway requirements and offers LXRP significant depth in the design, construction, testing and commissioning, handover, operations and maintenance of railways.
This multidisciplinary delivery team is built up from several engineering disciplines, each with a nominated technical discipline lead. The discipline technical lead manages the specific LXRP project requirements, leads dedicated engineering resources and undertakes interdisciplinary design reviews. This includes:
The HSE team has responsibility for providing advice and support to all JV staff and contractors on health, safety and environmental aspects of the TA’s operations, both in the field and in office workplaces. The TA promotes a zero-harm culture, with the HSE team having a primary focus on reducing the potential for harm.
The TA’s HSE team plays a pivotal role in educating joint venture partners in understanding their obligations as Principal Contractors under the Health & Safety Act. The team also assists LXRP in applying the legislation to ensure appropriate due diligence is undertaken, particularly given the project’s short time frames.
The TA’s digital engineering team utilises 3D software to create intelligent digital models so that designs can be viewed in a real-world context. This visualisation capability is a powerful way to rapidly present options or convey key elements of projects and assets to a wide range of stakeholders, which speeds up decision making. It also enables project partners to prepare costings and improves data flow.
Digital engineering functionality has also been applied to optimise project management processes, including using GIS to establish rules for greater document control security, and visual collaboration software, which tracks project issues, assigns tasks and updates models.
With 80 level crossings already removed across Victoria, we're proud to play our part in transforming the way Victorians live, work and travel.
Once complete, the removal of Victoria’s dangerous and congested level crossings is expected to:
To extend TTC Line 1 subway service approximately eight kilometres north from Finch Station to growing communities in Toronto, Vaughan, Markham, and Richmond Hill while maintaining fast and reliable operations on the existing line.
The BART Silicon Valley Phase II Program is a transformative 6-mile extension into San Jose that will enhance regional accessibility, reduce congestion, and strengthen the Bay Area’s transit network.
For Australia to achieve net zero by 2050, there is an urgent need for a national rollingstock decarbonisation strategy to decarbonise the rail sector. We collaborated with the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) to develop a critical pathway for stakeholders to follow that would accelerate rollingstock decarbonisation efforts.