15 September 2025

To prepare for more trains, more often once the Metro Tunnel opens later this year, we're closing Webster Street at the level crossing this October and building a new road under the rail line that will open in 2026.

The new underpass will connect Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street to Cheltenham and Hammond roads.

The new road underpass will improve safety, reduce congestion and create a more reliable road network in Dandenong, rerouting traffic away from Dandenong’s CBD and keeping heavy vehicles off Webster Street.

It will also prepare Dandenong for future development.

A new walking and cycling path under the Dandenong Creek rail bridge will be open from 7am, Friday 10 October, connecting to the existing Dandenong Creek Trail and providing safer pedestrian and cycling access under the rail line.

Closing the level crossing in October prepares the community for the opening of the Metro Tunnel later this year – which allows for more trains, more often to run through Dandenong on the entirely boom gate free Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.

Webster Street will close at the level crossing from 9pm, Friday 10 October and the new road underpass will open in 2026, two years ahead of schedule.

Why this level crossing needs to go:

  • Up to 10,000 vehicles travel through this crossing each day
  • Boom gates are down for up to 62 minutes during the morning peak (7am to 9am)
  • 22 near misses since 2012

Getting around Dandenong

With Webster Street closed at the level crossing from 9pm, Friday 10 October, there will be changes to the way you travel while we’re building the new road underpass.

For vehicles travelling around Webster Street, the detour route will be via Hammond Road, Dandenong Bypass, Frankston-Dandenong Road, Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street, Foster Street and Cheltenham Road.

The alternative detour route will be via Hammond Road, Cheltenham Road, George Street, Walker Street and Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street.

Vehicles over 3.8 metres will need to take a high vehicle route via Hammond Road, Dandenong Bypass, Frankston-Dandenong Road and Prince Highway-Lonsdale Street.

This avoids the low clearance bridge on Cheltenham Road.

At times, these routes may be temporarily altered due to road or lane closures while we build the new road underpass.

There will also be reduced speed limits – check the signs and follow the lower speeds to keep our roads safe.

The new road underpass will have a 5.8 metre clearance, making it safe and accessible for high vehicles.

To find out how oversize and overmass vehicles will travel around Dandenong once Webster Street is closed at the level crossing, visit our Webster Street travel changes page.

Thank you for your patience while we make Dandenong level crossing free.

For the safety of pedestrians and other road users, avoid using residential streets where possible when travelling through the area.

Safely turning into Dandenong Bypass

These detour routes were carefully planned to use arterial roads and signalised intersections to prioritise safety, journey time and minimise congestion.

The intersection of Dandenong Bypass and Hammond Road has traffic light signals to help you turn left and right safely.

The new road underpass will:

  • improve safety, reduce congestion and create a more reliable road network for Dandenong
  • reroute traffic away from Dandenong’s CBD and keep heavy vehicles off Webster Street
  • prepare Dandenong for future development.

Find out more about changes to the way you travel via our Webster Street travel changes page.

Determining travel routes

To determine the best way for you to travel around Dandenong, we've worked with the Department of Transport and Planning, Freight Victoria and Greater Dandenong City Council.

We also use traffic modelling to understand the current and projected road network performance and keep the community moving.

Traffic modelling informs key decisions regarding any changes to the road network.

This modelling considers:

  • roundabouts
  • traffic lights
  • reduced speed limits during school times
  • movements of public transport, pedestrians and bike riders.

Getting Around Dandenong way finder map

Getting around Dandenong wayfinder map

Your new walking and cycling path

The new walking and cycling path along Webster Street in Woodcock Reserve will be open from 7am, Friday 10 October.

The new path will run along the south side of Dandenong Creek, under the rail line, linking with the Dandenong Creek Trail and connecting residents to local shops and services in Dandenong’s CBD.

We've refined the design of the new path to include a boardwalk section that is being built around a large River Red Gum in Woodcock Reserve.

Works are on, shops and businesses are open

Thank you for shopping local during construction.

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

Project timeline

2019

  • 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

2026

  • Construction
  • New road underpass opens 2 years early
  • Landscaping

* Timeline subject to change.

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