Construction starts on level crossing removal

Works are well and truly getting underway to remove the level crossing at Blackburn Road in Blackburn.

September started on a high when Victorian Premier announced that the contract has been awarded to an alliance to plan, manage and deliver construction of the project.

The alliance includes Leighton contractors, Aurecon and Arcadis (formerly Hyder Consulting) who join partners VicRoads, Public Transport Victoria (PTV) and Metro Trains Melbourne to construct the project.

The project is due to be completed in the first half of 2017 and will feature:

• a lowered train line underneath Blackburn Road
• a new path for cyclists and pedestrians running from Blackburn to Nunawading, and
• improvements to the entrances, bus interchange and car parks at Blackburn train station.

We are finalising the detailed design and will be able to share it with the community in the coming month. Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback.

November works

• Clearing of undergrowth and trimming tree limbs
• Installation of secure fences and protective hoarding along the corridor for worker and
• community safety
• Soil sampling, boring and excavating for future service relocations
• Rail works – surveying, inspections, services and signalling infrastructure works
• We move into our project site office in Blackburn, off Whitehorse Road

What to expect during November

While our planning aims to limit disruptions on the local community, businesses and services, major construction does produce some unavoidable impacts.

Most of our works will be done during the day, however overnight works need to happen so we can work on and near the tracks when trains are not running.

October and November will be when locals are likely to first notice works happening. We will be doing everything we can to control noise, dust and vibration but we cannot eliminate these completely.

At various stages during the project, works will be noticeable to the community. If we think that your household or  business will be directly impacted by upcoming works, we will be in contact with you to discuss what can be done to reduce the impacts the works may have.

1800 105 105 – a 24-hour phone line will operate during night/weekend works so you can ask any questions or raise concerns.

Saturday night works – 7 November

Works will start from after the last train with works happening overnight when trains are not running.

We will be preparing for the installation of new cabling along the corridor using equipment that will sit on the train tracks. Some noise may be expected from trucks entering and leaving the site and low-medium light impacts may also be noticed.

Blackburn Road will remain open at all times on the night but lanes may be closed at various times.

Weekend day and night works – Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November

Works will be carried out day and night on Saturday and Sunday; they will finish in time for the first train on Monday morning. The works on this weekend will be 24 hours a day.

Weekend work is something we will do at regular intervals throughout the project to minimise disruption to trains, roads and other vital services.

Train customers

Trains will be replaced by buses between Ringwood and Box Hill stations on Saturday and Sunday. Please allow up to 30 extra minutes for your journey.

Train services will re-start from the first timetabled service on Monday 16 November.

For details on bus replacement services, visit ptv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007 (6:00am to midnight daily).

Road users

Blackburn Road in Blackburn will be closed to traffic in both directions from midnight on Friday 13 November and will re-open in the early hours of Monday morning.

The road will only be closed in the section that crosses the train tracks. All other access to and from Blackburn Road will remain open.

Locals will still be able to access nearby streets, shops and food outlets by foot via the pedestrian underpass at the train station.

Access using the pedestrian path across the train tracks at Blackburn Road will be closed.

Drivers wanting to head north or south across the train tracks can use Laburnum Street, Middleborough Road or Springvale Road.

Car parking at Blackburn Station

The east end of the station car park on Railway Road will be unavailable from 9:00pm on Friday 13 November until 4:00am on Monday 16 November.

Nightworks – Thursday 5 to Monday 16 November

Before the weekend works in November we need to do some preparatory works to move the cabling that lies adjacent to the tracks. These works can only happen at night when trains are not running.

Works will take place between Blackburn Road and just east of Metropolitan Avenue. You may notice low-level noise from trucks accessing the tracks, but this will be done from the north side of the rail line. Lighting towers will be used but directed away from houses as much as possible and the generators used for these lights will be the low-noise variety.

Communicating with us

We welcome your questions via the contact details below, or contact us if you want to receive regular project updates. A dedicated engagement team is available to the community to discuss any questions or concerns about our project.

Project timeline

October 2015

• Works start

November 2015

• First major works weekend

February 2016 to December 2016

• Piling works continue
• Pedestrian bridges start

Late December 2016 to January 2017

• Train line closed between Box Hill and Ringwood
• Blackburn Road closed at level crossing

Late January 2017

• With the level crossing and boom gates removed, the new, lowered train line opens

May 2017

• Project completed