On the home stretch

We are excited to announce that the Blackburn Road Level Crossing Removal Project will be fully completed by the end of July.

Removing the level crossing at Blackburn Road has significantly improved the traffic flow in Blackburn, with drivers and pedestrians now experiencing safer and smoother travel.

Before major work started in early 2016, the Blackburn Road level crossing was one of Victoria's worst, with boom gates down for more than 54 minutes during the 2-hour morning peak.

Works have now begun on the new entrances into the Blackburn Station underpass, including large canopies, new ramps, lifts and stairs. The new parkiteer cage has been installed and will be ready to use shortly.

Landscaping will begin in May and continue throughout the autumn planting season. We are also working to reinstate all car parks for commuters by the end of May.

Flooding of the Blackburn Station underpass has been an ongoing problem for many years. That's why the level crossing removal project is upgrading the drainage at the station, including in the underpass.

We are still completing this upgrade. In addition to increasing the capacity of the existing drainage system, a new pump system will be installed to remove water in the pedestrian underpass during major rain events as experienced in late April. This will be completed by the end of May.

Upcoming works 5 to 8 May

Belgrave/Lilydale line

To enable works in the rail corridor, the following disruptions to train services are planned:

• From 8.45pm Friday 5 May until 6.45am Sunday 7 May — buses will replace trains between Box Hill and Ringwood stations. Normal train services will resume from 6.45am Sunday 7 May.
• Journey times will be extended by up to 35 minutes.

Disruptions

• Works from 5–8 May will focus on areas around Blackburn station, in the underpass and within the rail cutting. Some works will be carried out at night in the rail cutting, but are unlikely to generate disruptive noise.
• Works will also continue on the walking and cycling path between Blackburn Station and Nunawading.

Blackburn Road closure

Blackburn Road will be closed between South Parade and Railway Road from 8pm Friday 5 May until 8am Saturday 6 May. South Parade will remain open to vehicles and pedestrians during this time.

Changes for bus stops on South Parade

From 4:00pm on Friday 5 May to 5am Monday 8 May bus stops for routes 703, 765 and 736 will be temporarily moved to Main Street. During this time, some parking spaces will be closed to provide alternative bus stops.

Changes to pedestrian access

Cottage Street and Oliver Avenue pedestrian bridges are currently closed.

The Blackburn Station underpass will also be closed from 9.30pm Friday 5 May. Access from Railway Road will re-open at 5.30am Sunday 7 May. The South Parade entrancewill re-open at 6:00am Monday 8 May.

Blackburn Road will be the closest crossing point for locals walking in the area.

Community corner

The Blackburn and District Environment Protection Fund has provided a generous donation to plant trees and shrubs in backyards along the rail line. The donation will enable indigenous plants to be offered to private residences backing onto the rail corridor within the Blackburn and Heatherdale Level Crossing Removal Project areas.

This great community-driven initiative will source indigenous plants from the local Bungalook Nursery to enhance backyards along the rail line. Watch out for more information in your letterbox on how to collect this offer.

Planting and landscaping within the project areas will also begin this month, with more than 17,000 plants to be planted.