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.

Removing the level crossing will eliminate more than 60 minutes of boom gate down time in the morning peak, saving travel time for up to 10,000 drivers each weekday.

The new road underpass will reduce congestion, deliver a more reliable road network and prepare Dandenong for future development.

Engineering assessments, traffic modelling and site investigations determined closing Webster Street at the level crossing and building a new road underpass is the best way to meet the needs of the local road network, as well as modern rail and road safety and accessibility standards.

Construction is underway, with Webster Street closing at the level crossing from 9pm, Friday 10 October and the new road underpass opening in 2026, 2 years ahead of schedule.

Building the new road underpass

Preparing for excavation

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, sewers, Multinet gas, water, NBN, Telstra and a major APA gas pipeline that services Melbourne’s south-east. Relocating this important pipeline will take several months and is only possible during the warmer months when demand is lower. Work to relocate one of Melbourne’s major gas pipelines is underway and will be complete next year.

The APA gas pipeline is 750 millimetres wide and 36km long, connecting Dandenong to the Docklands. Due to its importance to Melbourne and Victoria's gas supply network, relocating this pipeline must be done carefully and can only be finished in warmer months when demand is lower.

Excavation and piling

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.

Across the project we're drilling 403 piles to support the new road underpass and rail bridge.

After the piling, horizontal beams reinforced with steel are built on top of the piles to form the top of the road underpass retaining walls.

Due to the proximity of the Dandenong Creek, we're using specialised equipment to remove water from the ground to ensure dry working conditions while we excavate the new road underpass.

Approximately 13 Olympic sized swimming pools of dirt will be excavated to make way for the new road underpass.

Waterproofing, underpass completion and road works

After excavation is complete, waterproofing is applied to the walls and base of the underpass. A drainage system will be installed to pump water out of the new road underpass and into a detention basin, naturally filtering the water before going into the Dandenong Creek.

Architectural painted walls will be installed along the road underpass to reflect the vibrant colours of Dandenong.

The new road will then be asphalted and line marked, with lighting and safety barriers installed.

West of the rail line, the new underpass will connect to Cheltenham and Hammond roads and east of the rail line, a new signalised intersection at Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street will be open.

Piling in steps

1. A piling rig drills holes up to 1.2m wide and up to 18m deep into the ground.
2. Concrete is poured in as the piling rig is removed, with a cylindrical steel reinforcement cage inserted into each hole. This creates a deep foundation called a pile that will support the walls of the new road underpass and the new rail bridge.
3. To make way for the rail bridge over the new underpass, ballast and rail track are temporarily removed from the rail corridor.
4. Bridge moulds and steel are installed and filled with concrete to form the bridge.
5. Ballast and rail track are reinstated, and train signalling is installed.

Webster Street closure

To prepare for more trains, more often once the Metro Tunnel opens later this year, Webster Street will close at the level crossing from 9pm, Friday 10 October.

The Metro Tunnel will see more trains running more often across the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, making level crossings like the one on Webster Street even more dangerous and congested, with boom gates down for even longer.

Once the boom gates are removed, Webster Street will be safer and quieter for locals.

A new walking and cycling path along Webster Street will be open from 7am, Friday 10 October, connecting with the

Dandenong Creek Trail and providing safer pedestrian and cycling access under the rail line. 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.

The eastern section of Webster Street near Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street will be renamed and we look forward to sharing information with the community in the coming months.

Later this year, we’ll undertake finishing works, such as installing a new kerb, pavement, fencing and line marking on Webster Street.

We'll also begin to plant some of the 30,000 trees, shrubs and grasses around the project area, with the rest to be planted when the new road underpass opens in late 2026.

Construction timeline

April to June

• Set up site, including site offices, fencing and storage areas for materials and equipment
• Start piling on Thomas Street
• Begin relocating utilities east of the rail line

July to September

• Begin construction of the Webster Street walking and cycling path
• Continue relocating utilities east of the rail line
• Start piling west of the rail line
• Begin relocating the APA gas pipeline

October to December

• Walking and cycling path along Webster Street opens
• Webster Street closed at the level crossing
• Boom gates gone for good
• Install a new kerb, pavement, fencing and line marking on Webster Street
• Landscaping
• Begin excavation of the new road underpass west of the rail line

Early to mid-2026

• APA gas line relocation works complete
• Recommence piling east of the rail line
• Begin excavation east of the rail line

Late 2026

• New road underpass open
• Landscaping

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