A man in his 40s was killed while crossing the tracks near StAlbans railway station last Tuesday night.

Witnesses said he was attempting to beat the train when he crossed into the path of a city-bound V/Line service about 5.30pm.

The fatality, the third on the Sydenham line this month, caused major road and rail delays into the evening.

It comes in the wake of the death of student Teresa Ho, 15, in similar circumstances at Ginifer railway station last October.

St Albans Traders Association president Sebastian Agricola said the latest death showed the time for delay was over.

"This crossing and the one on Furlong Road are absolute death traps," he said.

"The government must fast-track their removal. This crossing is a disaster waiting to happen and this kind of thing will happen again."

The Main Road crossing in StAlbans is number four on the government's priority removal list.

There were 26 incidents recorded at the crossing from 2007-09 in which trains narrowly missed vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians.

Kororoit MP Marlene Kairouz accused the government of ignoring the western suburbs as it removes crossings in the east.

But Liberal MP Bernie Finn said the ball was already rolling on planning for the complicated grade separation.

"Everybody is aware of the dangers of this particular crossing. I've been caught on it myself and it's scary," he said.

Mr Finn said the government was committed to beginning the project this term.

"What happened is obviously a tragedy and I want to extend my deepest condolences to the man's family. But it must also be said that the bells and lights and barriers are there for a good reason and people need to take note of the warnings.

"People ignoring them are putting their lives in jeopardy."

Lobby group Committee for Melbourne said that commuter safety would remain at risk until rail level crossings were removed.