Moriac rail works improve pedestrian safety

AN UPGRADE to rail infrastructre in Moriac has greatly improved safely for pupils, parents and staff at the town’s primary school as well as the wider community.

The pedestrian crossing at the Cape Otway Road level crossing now has automatic swing gates that close as trains approach.

It also features an audible alarm that rings before and during the time that the gates are closed, and two new lighting towers to make the area safer at night.

More fencing has been installed along the rail line to ensure that locals are directed to the new pedestrian crossing as their means of crossing the tracks.

The upgrades will benefit the more than 200 pupils who attend Moriac Primary School next to the level crossing, many of whom use the crossing to get to and from school.

“The recent works at the level crossing adjacent to our school was a much needed and important safety upgrade to the pedestrian crossing and railway line for our community,” Moriac Primary School principal Melissa Maccora said.

“Student safety is always our highest priority, and this upgrade has meant that our students can safely cross the railway line to and from school each day, using the new pedestrian crossing.”

The upgrades were delivered alongside train detection improvements at the level crossing as part of Stage 2 of the Warrnambool Line Upgrade.

The project took 10 weeks to complete.

More than 30 workers helped construct the upgrades in Moriac, with many visiting the nearby Moriac General Store for coffee and food breaks during works.The level crossing is one of more than 50 being upgraded as part of Stage 2 of the Warrnambool Line Upgrade, which will enable modern VLocity trains to run on the line for the first time.

“This is great news for the Moriac community, particularly those with children at the nearby primary school who use the crossing regularly,” South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said,

“This ticks another level crossing upgrade off the list and puts us a step closer to delivering VLocity trains to Warrnambool as part of our investment in the Warrnambool Line Upgrade.”

For more information on the project and the upgrades to the Warrnambool Line, head to regionalrailrevival.vic.gov.au/warrnambool