New road opening this September

Dandenong's new road underpass connecting Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street to Cheltenham and Hammond roads is opening this September, 2 years ahead of schedule.

When the new road underpass opens, you’ll be able to drive straight from Cheltenham and Hammond roads in the west, under the rail line to Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street in the east.

The new road will reroute cars and trucks away from Dandenong’s thriving CBD, creating a more reliable road network.

For locals, workers and visitors this means faster trips, safer journeys and less congestion, supporting Dandenong’s future growth.

We're continuing construction of the underpass, waterproofing the walls and floor and installing a new drainage system that pumps water into a detention basin where it's naturally filtered before flowing into Dandenong Creek.

Last year we closed Webster Street at the level crossing and opened a new walking and cycling path along Webster Street in Woodcock Reserve, linking with the Dandenong Creek Trail and connecting locals to Dandenong's CBD.

New artwork is being installed along the walking and cycling path under the rail bridge in spring.

Project benefits

• boom gates gone at Webster Street eliminating more than an hour of down time in the morning peak (7am to 9am)
• improves safety, reduces congestion and creates a more reliable road network
• reroutes traffic away from Dandenong's CBD
• keeps trucks off Webster Street
• prepares the area for future development.

Travelling around Dandenong

When the new road underpass opens in September, there will be new ways to get around and changes to how you travel around Dandenong.

New Cheltenham Road underpass

When the new road underpass opens, it will become an extension of Cheltenham Road.

You’ll be able to drive from Cheltenham and Hammond roads in the west, under the rail line to Princes Highway- Lonsdale Street in the east.

At the new intersection on Princes Highway–Lonsdale Street, drivers will be able to turn left or right with no peak‑hour turning restrictions.

The new underpass creates a direct east-west connection for vehicles of all sizes.

With a clearance of 5.4m under the rail bridge, the new underpass will help move trucks and heavy vehicles off local streets and out of Dandenong’s CBD.

The new road underpass will feature two lanes in each direction, making travel more reliable for everyone.

Princes Highway- Lonsdale Street

We'll install a new signalised intersection and pedestrian crossings on Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street and at the intersection of Cheltenham Road to provide safer and more direct connections for everyone crossing the roads.

Webster Street east becomes Dow Court

With Webster Street closed at the rail line and the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines boom gate free, the section of the road east of the rail line will be renamed Dow Court in honour of Pat Dow.

Dow Court will include on-street parking and space for drivers to turn around. Drivers will be able to turn left and right out of Dow Court onto Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street, with traffic lights in place from late September. Dow Court will be left-in only.

Part of Cheltenham Road becomes Merle Parade

When the new underpass opens in September, Cheltenham Road between Foster Street and Hammond Road will be left-out only into the new road. This section of Cheltenham Road will be renamed Merle Parade, honouring Merle Mitchell AM.

To access Foster Street, drivers travelling east through Dandenong will use the new underpass, turn onto Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street and turn left onto Foster Street.

Merle Parade and Foster Street between Thomas Street and Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street will become 40km/h.

Thomas Street

The southern end of Thomas Streetwill reopen to vehicles after the new road opens, becoming one way and connecting with Lonsdale Street-Service Road. This new section ofThomas Street will include 8 on-street parking spaces and 8 indented parking spaces.

There'll also be space for drivers to turnaround before the one way section of Thomas Street.

The speed limit for Thomas Street will become 40km/h.

To access Lonsdale Street-Service Road drivers travelling south on Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street can U-turn at the signalised intersection of the new road underpass.

The new road underpass and Princes Highway - Lonsdale Street between Foster and Webster streets will be 60km/h.

Dandenong's new road names

Together, the new names recognise two extraordinary women whose dedication shaped the City of Greater Dandenong.

Merle Mitchell AM

Merle was a nationally recognised advocate for social justice, serving as CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service, supporting the Council of the Ageing, and founding the Springvale Community Aid and Advice Bureau (SCAAB). She was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1991.

For over 20 years through her work with SCAAB, Merle was an active part of the Springvale humanitarian effort to provide accommodation and settlement services to more than 30,000 migrants and refugees from all over the world.

Pat Dow

Pat was a true Dandenong advocate, dedicating more than 30 years to volunteering with groups including the Dandenong Hospital Auxiliary, Red Cross and Meals on Wheels.

She was also a huge supporter of the Dandenong Festival of Music= and Art for Youth and helped lead a decade long fundraising effort to build the 12th Dandenong Scout Hall.

Changes to the way you travel

In the coming months, we’ll share more information about key dates and how you’ll travel around Dandenong when the new road opens.

While we’re continuing to build the new road underpass there are changes to the way you travel through Dandenong.

For more information view the Webster Street travel changes fact sheet.

Works are on, shops and businesses are open

Thomas Street, Lonsdale Street and Webster Street traders are open for business.

Thank you for shopping local during construction.

Project timeline

2018

• Project announced.

2022 to late 2023

• Site investigations, traffic surveys and planning works.

November 2023

• Concept designs released.
• Community consultation.
• Site investigations continue.

Late 2024

• Final designs released.
• Early works.

2025

• Construction starts.
• Walking and cycling path under the rail line opens.
• Boom gates gone for good.
• Webster Street closed at the level crossing.

2026

• Construction.
• New road underpass opens.
• Landscaping.

2027

• Project complete

*Timeline subject to change.

Stay up to date

• Sign up for email updates.
• SMS WEBSTER to 0428 581 917
• Visit the Webster Street project page
• Email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au or call 1800 105 105 24/7