The Australian Government has selected a consortium comprising Leighton Contractors, Aurecon and Hyder Consulting for the removal of additional four dangerous and congested level crossings in the country.

Under the terms of $481.2m contract, the consortium will be responsible for level crossing removals at Blackburn Road in Blackburn, Heatherdale Road in Mitcham, and Furlong and Main roads in St Albans.

The crossings are said to cripple Australia’s road network and putting lives at risk, as their boom gates are down for nearly an hour on average each morning, blocking ambulances and other emergency service vehicles.

"Leasing the port means we can create thousands of jobs, get Victorians home safer and sooner and still protect our AAA credit rating."

Removal of these congestion hot-spots is expected to reduce road congestion for the 60,000 vehicles that use them each day, while enabling the government to run more services on the Belgrave and Sunbury lines.

While the labour government has financed the Blackburn Road, Heatherdale Road and Furlong Road projects, the removal of the Main Road level crossing is jointly funded by the state and federal governments with savings from the Regional Rail Link project.

Victoria premier Daniel Andrews said: "These level crossings have already claimed lives, and continue to put lives at risk – they have to go and we’re getting on with it, finalising the contract so works can begin."

Works at Main Road and Furlong Road are anticipated to start by October for planned completion in 2017, while the removal of Blackburn Road and Heatherdale Road level crossings will start later this year and will run for a period between 12 to 18 months.

Meanwhile, the federal government is also said to be working to lease the Port of Melbourne to support the removal of 50 worst level crossings.

Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas said: "Leasing the port means we can create thousands of jobs, get Victorians home safer and sooner and still protect our AAA credit rating."

The lease proceeds will go into the Victorian Transport Fund, which will support the removal of 50 worst level crossings and the construction of Melbourne Metro, the West Gate Distributor and other important transport initiatives.