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.

Webster Street will be closed at the level crossing this October and the new road underpass will open in 2026, 2 years ahead of schedule.

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

A new walking and cycling path along Webster Street under the rail line will open this October, connecting residents to local shops and services in Dandenong's CBD.

To build the new road underpass, specialised machinery is needed.

As with any major construction, these works can cause noise and vibration and create dust.

Where possible, we will reduce and minimise noise, vibration and dust during construction.

The intensity of noise and vibration depends on the ground conditions and distance between your property and the works.

We will notify potentially affected residents and businesses well in advance of works through direct updates via letterbox drops and, at times, in person.

What causes noise and vibration?

The main sources of noise and vibration are:

• excavation and rock breaking
• drilling deep into the ground, known as piling
• heavy machinery, generators and power tools.

Monitoring noise and vibration

As part of our project planning, we undertook noise monitoring at different locations in the project area.

We use this data to identify potential noise impacts of our works and proactively work with affected residents and businesses to minimise noise impacts.

How we'll minimise noise and vibration

• Schedule works during standard construction hours as much as possible, generally from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 7am to 1pm, on Saturdays.
• Use quieter reversing alarms on our vehicles and machines
• Offer respite and relocation to residents during noisy night works, where noise thresholds are exceeded
• Maintain a buffer zone between work areas and homes
• Keep our machinery in good working order.

During our works, the project team monitors noise and vibration levels to make sure they are within the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) noise control guidelines.

How we'll minimise dust and dirt

• Use water trucks to regularly wet down the site
• Stage works to minimise disturbed soil areas exposed to wind
• Plan earthworks on less windy days
• Cover truck loads and stockpiles
• Reduce the speed of construction vehicles
• Use steel grids at site exit points to reduce mud being dragged onto the roads
• Clean the roads around the site with street sweepers.

Monitoring dust

We've installed dust monitors around the work site to measure air quality at regular intervals.

These monitors help us ensure we have adequate dust controls in place throughout construction, in line with EPA requirements.

Keeping traffic moving

Our works take place on and next to key local and arterial roads.

This may lead to occasional changes to how you drive, ride and walk through the area and potentially cause delays.

For your safety and the safety of our workers, please follow the detour signs in place.

If our works impact the access to any properties, we’ll get directly in touch with affected residents and business owners. We will always maintain access for emergency services.

Sometimes it is not possible to avoid disturbing residents, and we need to consider other options.

This can include offering temporary respite and relocation, which is offered to residents before impactful works begin, and in response to requests during works.

If you have issues with noise, vibration or dust during construction or any other questions, please call us on 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For languages other than English, please call 9209 0147.