We're making the Lilydale Line level crossing-free and getting rid of more boom gates on the Belgrave Line.

The Victorian Government has committed to removing 75 dangerous and congested level crossings by 2025. With 47 already gone the project is ahead of schedule so another 10 have been added to make it 85 level crossings gone by 2025.

We're removing 12 level crossings on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines. 4 are already gone, 4 are going and now we have added another 4 including:

Lilydale Line

• Dublin Road, Ringwood East
• Coolstore Road, Croydon
• Cave Hill Road, Lilydale (closure)

Belgrave Line

• Bedford Road, Ringwood

Removing these crossings will improve safety, reduce congestion and allow more trains, more often.

New stations

Two new stations will be built at Ringwood East and Croydon as part of the crossing removals

Site analysis

These level crossings clog local roads and put lives at risk.

The Belgrave/Lilydale line is the second busiest train line on Melbourne's network.

Current network plans involve running more trains along these lines, which would mean even more boom gate downtime.

Level crossing-free line

Creating a level crossing-free Lilydale Line will change how locals live, work and travel. With no level crossings on the train line, journeys will be faster and local roads safer.

We’re also upgrading the Belgrave Line so that trains from Ferntree Gully are level crossing-free.

We're already working to remove level crossings in Surrey Hills, Mont Albert, Mooroolbark and Lilydale.

Due to the proximity of these new sites to level crossing removal works already underway, it makes sense to get these crossings done now while crews are out on the ground. This will mean we can get rid of the crossings as soon as possible.

Level crossing closure

We're closing the Cave Hill Road level crossing in Lilydale and will build a pedestrian connection to maintain access to the school and also link with future shared path trails as part of future development in the area.

The upcoming removal of the Maroondah Highway level crossing will improve local vehicle access.

Why these level crossings need to go

• Approximately 36,000 vehicles travel through these crossings each day
• Boom gates are down for up to 23 minutes of the morning peak (7am to 9am)
• 33 trains during the morning peak (7am to 9am)

Who we are

The Level Crossing Removal Project was established in 2015 by the Victorian Government to remove 50 dangerous and congested level crossings across metropolitan Melbourne by 2022.

In 2018, the Victorian Government committed to removing a further 25 level crossings by 2025.

Now in 2021, another 10 will go meaning 85 level crossings removed by 2025.

Removing the 85 level crossings will deliver:

• More reliable roads and rail – traffic congestion will be reduced, and more trains will be able to run more often.
• Improved safety – crossing the rail line will be safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
• More opportunities – removing level crossings will enhance and create vibrant areas for the community.

Project benefits

We're removing 12 level crossings on the Belgrave/Lilydale Line and building 8 new stations by 2025.

• The Lilydale Line will be crossing-free by 2025 and there will be no more frustrating boom gates from the city to Ferntree Gully on the Belgrave Line
• Allows more trains to run more often and eases road congestion
• The new Croydon and Ringwood East stations will have better facilities for passengers including more lighting and CCTV
• Across Melbourne, we'll create over 20 MCGs worth of open space and over 50kms of new walking and cycling paths.

Technical designs to remove the level crossings

Each level crossing is unique and needs a design that considers environmental, community and technical factors. A design that works well for one area may not necessarily suit another.

Designs for level crossing removals are assessed and developed by teams of technical experts including engineers and construction specialists.

Initial assessments indicate the following design solutions will deliver the best outcome for the community.

We'll build a new rail bridge over the road* to remove the Coolstore Road level crossing. This design offers the greatest opportunity to connect Croydon's city centre, which is currently divided by the railway line.

We'll build a new rail trench under the road* at Bedford Road. This site is located at the top of a hill meaning the trench will be shorter, reducing the impact on important infrastructure like the rail junction at Ringwood.

We'll build a new rail trench under the road* at Dublin Road. This design will work well with the ground conditions and will maintain access to the Ringwood East shopping precinct from Dublin Road.

* Further engineering assessments and community engagement will be undertaken on these projects.

Upcoming site investigations

As we remove a level crossing, it is important that we have a detailed understanding of the conditions at each site.

To do this, we complete lots of site investigations to better understand the ground conditions and work out what designs and construction methods can be used in each location.

Over the coming months, our teams will do further investigations and studies in and around the rail corridor. This includes activities such as soil testing, heritage assessments and ground water monitoring.

You’ll see our crew working, but the works are unlikely to cause disruption to the community. We’ll notify residents who live nearby before we start these works.

Keep in touch

We will be out in the community to talk to you about these projects in the coming months.

Send us a private message on our Facebook page.

Contact our 24/7 call centre on 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au