Boom gates going in October, new road opening next year

To prepare for more trains, more often once the Metro Tunnel opens later this year, we’re closing Webster Street at the level crossing and building a new road under the rail line. The new underpass will connect Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street to Cheltenham and Hammond roads.

Dandenong and the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will be boom gate free when Webster Street closes at the level crossing from 9pm, Friday 10 October.

The new road underpass will open in 2026, 2 years ahead of schedule.

Before we close the road, we’ll open a new walking and cycling path along Webster Street from 7am, Friday 10 October. The new path will connect to the Dandenong Creek Trail and provide safer pedestrian and cycling connections.

With construction of the new road underpass underway, we'll continue piling in spring before excavation of the underpass begins later this year.

To allow us to safely close Webster Street at the level crossing and complete works in the rail corridor, buses will replace trains on sections of the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines from 8.30pm, Friday 10 October to last service, Thursday 23 October.

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

Upcoming works

Before construction of the new road underpass can begin east of the rail line, we're relocating key utilities including overhead and underground power lines, sewer, Multinet gas, water, NBN, Telstra and a major APA gas pipeline that services Melbourne’s southeast.

Due to the importance of the pipeline, relocating it takes several months and can only be done in the warmer months when demand is lower. The relocation of one of Melbourne’s major gas pipelines is underway and will be completed early next year.

While we complete utility relocations east of the rail line, we’ll start excavating the new road underpass west of the rail line.

Road underpass excavations will start east of the rail line after utility relocations are complete in early 2026.

24/7 works this October

In October, we’ll work 24/7 in the rail corridor to complete signalling, track works and construction of the new rail bridge over the new road underpass.

To allow crews to safely complete works in the rail corridor, buses will replace trains on sections of the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines from 8:30pm, Friday 10 October to last service, Thursday 23 October.

Your new walking and cycling path

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

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

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

As works continue, there will be temporary lane closures and pedestrian detours in place.

August works recap

Thanks for your patience while we completed a 2 week construction blitz in the rail corridor while trains weren’t running. During this time, we:

• completed 54 piles to support the new road underpass and rail bridge over the underpass
• undertook overhead wiring works
• trenched for underground utilities
• continued construction of the new walking and cycling path along Webster Street.

Works are on, shops are open

Lonsdale Street-Service Road and Thomas Street traders are open for business.

Thank you for supporting local businesses in Dandenong while construction is underway.

You can still visit, shop and dine at Lonsdale Street-Service Road and Thomas Street traders during construction.

Buy local and support your local traders in the Lonsdale Street-Service Road and Thomas Street precinct:

Retail

• Manilal Sons
• Opal Homewares

Cafes and restaurants

• Acai Crush
• Beletti Restaurant Cafe Bar
• Darbar Restaurant
• Fiji Café and Sweets

Services

• Aye Hairstyles
• Capri Blinds
• Dandenong Central Apartments
• Dandy Parking
• Good Therapy Dandenong
• State Trustees
• Sri Lanken Hair and Beauty

Cranbourne and Pakenham lines boom gate free

Webster Street will be closed at the level crossing from 9pm, Friday 10 October, making the street quieter for local residents.

With Webster Street closed at the level crossing, there will be changes to how you travel through Dandenong while we're building the new road underpass.

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 3.8m will need to take a high vehicle route via Hammond Road, Dandenong Bypass, Frankston-Dandenong Road and Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street. This route avoids the low clearance bridge on Cheltenham Road.

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

At times, these routes may be temporarily altered during road or lane closures while we build the new road underpass. There may also be reduced speed limits. Please check the signs and follow the lower speeds to keep our roads safe for everyone.

By travelling via the Dandenong Bypass, you'll be able to safely turn left and right at signalised intersections.

Meet the team

Join our information session to hear from the project team, ask questions and find out more about changes to the way you’ll move around Dandenong when Webster Street closes.

Online via Zoom

• Wednesday 8 October, 6pm to 7pm

Bookings are essential.

Learn more and register

Project timeline

2019

• Project announced

2022 to late 2023

• Site investigations, traffic surveys and planning works

November 2023

• Early 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

2026

• Construction
• New road underpass opens
• Landscaping

* 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