Webster Street community update – August 2024

23 August 2024

Building a new road for Dandenong

We're removing the level crossing by closing Webster Street at the level crossing and building a new road under the rail line, connecting Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street to Cheltenham and Hammond roads.

The new road underpass will reroute traffic away from Dandenong’s CBD and keep heavy vehicles off Webster Street.

Removing this level crossing will deliver a more reliable road network with better connections and travel times.

It will also improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and bike riders, and support future development in the area.

Final designs will be released and early works will begin later this year.

Construction is on track to start in 2025.

We’re closing Webster Street at the level crossing in 2025. The new road underpass will open in 2028.

Closing this level crossing will help create boom gate free Cranbourne and Pakenham lines in 2025, which will change how locals live, work and travel.

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-9am)
22 near misses since 2012

What's important to you

In November and December last year, we asked locals to share insights about what’s important, challenges travelling around the area and feedback on the concept designs.

We received more than 120 pieces of feedback via online surveys, community information sessions and our interactive map.

We heard that reducing congestion, maintaining green spaces and better active transport connections are your top priorities.

Reducing congestion

You told us that you would like the design to improve traffic conditions and make journeys through the area easier.

You shared restricted turns and traffic banking up from the level crossing onto Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street causes congestion.

Trees, vegetation and green spaces

Locals would like to see more trees and greenery planted as part of the project. A preference for the planting of native and indigenous species stood out.

Minimising impacts to existing trees and vegetation is also important to the community.

Better walking and bike connections

We heard you would like to see better connections for pedestrians and bike riders through the area.

We also heard that local access could be improved by connecting existing pathways to local shops and Dandenong Station.

Find out more

Your feedback, alongside technical requirements will shape final designs, which will be released later this year.

You can read more about what we heard in the consultation report.

A new road underpass connecting Dandenong

We're removing the Webster Street boom gates by closing the road at the level crossing and building a new road underpass connecting Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street to Cheltenham and Hammond roads.

The new road under the rail line will reduce congestion, deliver a more reliable road network and improve safety.

When the new underpass opens, heavy vehicles will move away from Dandenong CBD and less cars will travel on Webster Street.

With a new signalised intersection, drivers using the new underpass will be able to turn left and right at Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street.

We're closing Webster Street permanently at the level crossing in 2025 which means vehicles will no longer be able to cross the rail line. Vehicles will turn onto Bryants Road and we’ll build a new vehicle turn around at the eastern closure point.

The new road underpass will open in 2028.

We’re working closely with key government and transport bodies to determine detours for all vehicle, including heavy vehicles, during construction.

More information about detours will be available before construction begins next year.

Aerial view of the new road underpass. Artist impression, subject to change

Upcoming early works

We’ll undertake investigations to understand more about the area and what’s under the ground from September to December.

This includes surveying ground, the condition of the roads, and locating and assessing underground services near the project. We'll use this information to inform the final designs and how we’ll build the new underpass.

We’re getting closer to a level crossing-free Pakenham Line

We’ve removed 19 level crossings and the last three on the Pakenham Line will be gone by 2025. We’re also extending the metropolitan line to East Pakenham and building nine new stations.

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