EXCLUSIVE: MELBOURNE’S worst level crossing, which has been blamed for 16 deaths, is set to be removed in a $200 million makeover.

Work on fixing the Main Rd crossing in St Albans, which has been the subject of campaigning for many years, will begin this year and finish in 2017, Premier Denis Napthine will announce today.

Dr Napthine said the level crossing removal, which is a 2010 election promise, “has been of special concern to the community”.

“Tragically there have been two fatalities and 39 near-misses involving pedestrians and trains since 2006,” he said.

“By removing this St Albans level crossing, we are addressing a safety risk for pedestrians, motorists and public transport users, reducing traffic congestion and providing a major economic boost to the St Albans activity centre.”

Community campaigners say the deadly crossing has played a role in 16 deaths.

Last year, those including Dianne Dejanovic - whose son Christian died after being hit by a train at the crossing in 2012 - said if the Government failed to act more people would be killed.

The project will be the most expensive and complex grade separation in Victoria’s history, with the rail line to be sunk, and a new premium ­station built below Main Rd.

The train station car park will be moved, and a new bus interchange and pedestrian overpass will be created.

Preliminary work will begin within months, but major construction will start next year.

The Federal Government will contribute $151 million, while the state money will come from Regional Rail Link savings, Transport Minister Terry ­Mulder said.

“This is smart planning and a smart investment to see one of Melbourne’s most dangerous hot-spots removed,” he said.

After the crossing is removed, 20,000 motorists a day hitting the intersection will no longer wait for boom gate closures of up to 20 minutes each hour.

Level crossing removals have become a hot political topic this year after Labor pledged to get rid of the 50 most dangerous within eight years, if elected in November.

Dr Napthine said the government had a large grade separation program.

“This is another example of the Coalition Government’s commitment to reducing the number of dangerous congestion hot spots at Melbourne’s level crossings,” Dr Napthine said.