Summer works blitz to remove level crossing forever!

Welcome to our final community update for 2016. Who would have thought the major summer works would come around so quickly!

The boom gates on Heatherdale Road will soon be a distant memory. Major works this summer will see the rail line lowered with trains running underneath Heatherdale Road for the very first time.

To remove the dangerous and congested level crossing and build a brand new station, an intensive period of works will kick off on Tuesday 27 December and run until 5am Monday 6 February.

Heatherdale Road will reopen to vehicles on Monday 6 February, with the full project to be complete in mid 2017.

Check out this update for more information on the upcoming summer works.

What to expect

From Tuesday 27 December 2016 until 5am Monday 6 February 2017 we will be working around the clock to get this project done.

Dust

With works taking place during summer, the project is putting in place measures to help manage the dust that will be caused by the excavation.

Hoses will spray water into the excavation area to dampen the soil and water trucks will be used to spray areas outside of the cutting itself, including roads.

We will be using street sweepers, installing rumble grids at worksite exits and using tarps to cover trucks leaving the worksite.

We will be doing everything we can to minimise the dust from this major construction zone, however if you are concerned about dust on your property please contact us at contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Buses replacing trains

Buses will replace trains on the Belgrave/Lilydale Line between Blackburn/Box Hill and Ringwood from Tuesday 27 December 2016 until Monday 6 February 2017. Why not give the bus a go, you will be pleasantly surprised!

Pedestrian changes

During the summer works the pedestrian path on Heatherdale Road will be closed. During this time we will be providing a shuttle bus from Heatherdale Road to Maroondah Highway train replacement bus stop for 24 hours a day. The shuttle will operate approximately every 14 minutes.

Road closures

To enable the works to be carried out we will also need to close Heatherdale Road from Maroondah Highway to Molan Street and Forster Street from Heatherdale Road to Irvine Street. Heatherdale road will reopen on Monday 6 February with no more boom gates!

If you are driving you will be detoured via Wantirna Road or Mitcham Road and Canterbury Road.

Come see what's happening

Community members will be able to view the works from outside the souvlaki station on Heatherdale Road and from the Tennyson Street viewing area.

Project staff will be available to explain the works and answer any questions you may have. So over the holidays get the whole family together and come and see what's happening. Keep a look out for dates over the coming weeks.

Support your local traders

During the summer works, it is business as usual for local traders and we encourage you to continue to support your local small businesses.

Even though Heatherdale Road will be closed, access to local businesses will be maintained.

You may have already driven past our colourful hoarding and over the coming weeks, you will see posters and flyers start to pop up with our Heatherdale Shop Local campaign.

If you run a local business in the area and you have questions about the works or ideas on how we can best support you, please get in touch with us on 1800 105 105 or contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

Cochrane Street bridge

Construction of the Cochrane Street walking and cycling path is well underway.

In just 2 days the piles and columns were installed and the pre cast bridge beams were lifted into place with a 350 tonne crane.

Works are now progressing with installation of the deck, hand rails and retaining walls, and earthworks are being undertaken for the walking and cycling path to connect to the bridge.

Kindergarten project story telling

Our recent story telling session at the Heatherdale kindergarten was a very special form of community engagement for the team.

The kids eagerly listened to the Area Project Engineer Joe Sette and Project Engineer Ryan Lucas read Dinosaur Rescue and Dinosaur Dig by Penny Dale. The engineers explained to the children the dangers of the level crossing and the works involved in removing the boom gates.

The kids had lots of questions about the works they have seen happening in the area and they were given their own special project colouring sheet to take home and share with their families.

Happy holidays

The community has been so supportive of the project throughout the year. Again we would like to thank you for your understanding and patience.

This support has been invaluable to the success of the project.

The end of the major works will be a great outcome for the community.

The boom gates will be gone, Heatherdale Road will be open, trains will commence running on the lowered track, the new station will be operational and the Purches Street bridge will be open.

With increased construction activity and vehicles on the road we ask you to take particular care when driving in the area during the summer works period.

We wish community members a happy and safe holiday season. After the summer works we look forward to continuing to take you on our journey until the project is completed and handed back over to you in mid 2017.