Salam Al-Mulla is one of the Level Crossings Removal Project's most experienced engineers who is helping to remove the dangerous and congested level crossing on Hallam Road.
Since starting his career as a site engineer, Sal – as he's known to his colleagues – has worked on seven level crossing removal projects across Melbourne including St Albans, Blackburn, Caulfield to Dandenong, Lower Plenty, Heatherdale and now as a construction manager at Hallam.
His engineering knowledge and level crossing removal experience is invaluable at the Hallam site, where crews are working to build a new rail bridge and modern station.
For Sal, one of the great things about level crossing removal projects is that every day presents new challenges and opportunities. Working across a number of different of disciplines has given Sal the ability to develop skills across a broad range of areas.
‘I have been involved with the rail systems, including signalling, and I have also delivered a number of civil, structural utility and station building works,’ Sal said.
‘These projects have given me numerous skills, which allow me to fulfil my role here at Hallam while also allowing others to learn from my experiences so they can take a step forward as I did, from site engineer to construction manager.’
As a construction manager, Sal ensures his team is working well together so the project is delivered safely, successfully and on time, producing positive outcomes and benefits for the community.
Sal’s contribution to improving safety and easing congestion on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines is not just confined to Hallam, but also follows his work on the Caulfield to Dandenong project, which removed 9 level crossings.
Sal said being able to drive past these projects with his family and tell them he worked on them gave him immense pride.
‘I feel extremely proud to be part of this and the benefits it has provided the community.’
Major construction is well underway at Hallam with the new rail bridge over Hallam Road now complete, and works progressing to build the new Hallam Station, which will feature a second entrance and modern, safe facilities.
The new Hallam Station will open in 2022, with the boom gates gone for good - easing congestion for the 20,000 vehicles that pass through the crossing every day.
