Steph Cooke MP at the Mary Gilmore Way railway crossing near Bribbaree.
Design work for a significant upgrade to the railway crossing along Mary Gilmore Way at Bribbaree has commenced following a vocal campaign to improve safety at the site.
Transport for NSW has commenced design work to transform the crossing from a passive to an active level crossing, with boom gates, flashing LED lights, warning bells and improved signage.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke welcomed the news after calling on the Minister for Transport to guarantee full active protection at the notorious location.
“Locals know this crossing for all too well for all the wrong reasons,” Ms Cooke said.
“Earlier this year, I made it clear that securing a full upgrade of this crossing was a priority in 2026.”
“It’s extremely encouraging that not only has the Minister validated our concerns, but she will be seeking to fast-track this project so that everyone who travels Mary Gilmore Way can get home safely.”
The Mary Gilmore Way crossing has been the site of multiple serious incidents and is widely regarded as one of the most challenging passive rail crossings in the region, due to high traffic volumes, heavy freight movements and limited visibility.
In 2023, the crossing was selected for a technology trial, which included radar-activated LED stop signs and additional warning signage.
However, Ms Cooke said activating the crossing was the only way to give the community confidence in its safety, with the trial proving to be a “band-aid solution” at this location.
While the upgrade progresses through design, interim safety improvements are being delivered on the road approach to the crossing, including rumble strips, a review of advanced warning signage and investigations into photo luminescent line markings to improve visibility in low-light conditions.
The existing radar-activated stop sign system will also remain in place and may be upgraded to use emerging machine learning technologies.
Ms Cooke said the crossing’s location on a key freight route made the upgrade particularly important.
“There’s still work ahead to see this project delivered, but this is a huge step forward and a sign that safety is finally being taken seriously by the NSW Government,” Ms Cooke said.
“The community can take comfort that this dangerous crossing will finally get the protections it needs in both the short-term and long-term.”
Transport for NSW and the Australian Rail Track Corporation are jointly funding the design work for the proposed upgrade to an active crossing. Designs are expected to be completed by the end of the 2025 to 2026 financial year.
The proposed upgrade would then be delivered by ARTC under Transport’s Level Crossing Improvement Program, with construction timing to be determined once the current program of upgrades under the Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund is complete.
Transport for NSW will continue to keep the community updated as work progresses.
Minister for Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison said, “Level crossing crashes can have devastating consequences for regional communities, which is why the Minns Labor Government is getting on with the work needed to improve safety at crossings across the state.
“The community has been clear that Mary Gilmore Way at Bribbaree needs attention, and I thank Weddin Shire Council for its strong advocacy on behalf of local residents.
“We have started design work on a proposed major upgrade that would deliver boom gates, flashing lights and bells, transforming this crossing from a passive crossing into an active one.
“Importantly, we are not waiting for the long-term upgrade before taking action. We are also delivering practical interim improvements on the approach to the crossing, including rumble strips, improved signage and investigating glow road technology.
“By combining targeted infrastructure upgrades with new technology, the Minns Labor Government is working to make this crossing safer and help prevent serious crashes on regional roads.”
Labor Spokesperson for Cootamundra, Stephen Lawrence said, “People in our region know how dangerous this crossing can be, and they deserve to feel safe every time they travel through it.”
“This is exactly the kind of practical investment regional communities need, getting on with the job of improving safety while planning for the long term.”
“Upgrading this crossing from passive to active will make a real difference, but it’s just as important that interim measures are being rolled out now to reduce risk immediately.”
“Regional roads carry a heavy toll when it comes to serious crashes, and targeted upgrades like this are critical to turning that around.”
Mayor of Weddin Shire Council, Paul Best said, “I am extremely pleased to see that further risk mitigation measures are being organised until a permanent solution is delivered.
“Given the serious risk this crossing presents to both road users and rail operators, seeing this matter being attended to is welcomed.
“I would like to thank members of the community who have advocated for improvements to level crossings in our region.
“This is welcomed news.
“I would also like to thank ARTC and Transport for NSW for working together with Council on this, to make it safer for our community.”
Director Infrastructure Projects, ARTC, Heather Parry said, “ARTC manages more than 1,500 level crossings in NSW and we know the risks they can pose, particularly on regional roads. Tragically, level crossing incidents remain the leading cause of railway-related fatalities involving members of the public.
“Trains cannot stop quickly, especially when carrying heavy loads, which is why upgrading Mary Gilmore Way from a passive to an active crossing is such an important safety improvement.
“We are proud to partner with Transport for NSW to help deliver safer outcomes for the Bribbaree community and all road and rail users.”
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