Reaching new heights in Melton and Truganina

Works are underway to remove 4 dangerous and congested level crossings at Coburns, Exford and Ferris roads in Melton and Hopkins Road in Truganina to make Melton boom gate free.

Works at Melton and Truganina are progressing strongly as we’ve been building the new rail bridges across Coburns and Exford roads and the new road bridges at Ferris and Hopkins roads.

Local communities can see significant progress across all 4 level crossing removal sites.

The year has finished with a major milestone at Coburns Road, with the steel bridge sections now in place.

The bridge's journey began in Tasmania, crossing Bass Strait by ship and culminated with the installation of the steel beams over Coburns Road in mid-November.

Exford Road has an exciting year ahead as we lower the road and build the rail bridge over top.

Removing all 4 level crossings will improve traffic flow, eliminating almost half an hour of boom gate down time in the morning peak alone, easing congestion and providing safer, more reliable journeys for 73,000 drivers each weekday.

We’re also building a new modern and accessible Melton Station. The elevated station is coming along quickly, with the 16m wide pedestrian through link more than half finished. The new Melton Station is being built with 4 platforms – double that of the previous station. Two platforms will accommodate Ballarat Line services, with 2 additional platforms for dedicated Melton services.

As part of the Melton Line Upgrade, the new Melton Station paves the way for nine-car trains from 2027 – boosting passenger capacity by 50% during peak services. The stage is set for Melton and Truganina to be transformed with all 4 level crossings removed, and the new Melton Station opening to passengers next year.

Why these level crossings need to go

• About 73,000 vehicles travel through these crossings every day
• Boom gates are down for up to 28 minutes during the morning peak (7am to 9am)
• Up to 16 trains travel through these crossings during the morning peak (7am to 9am)

Beaming out at Ferris Road and Hopkins Road

Construction continues to remove the level crossings at Ferris and Hopkins roads by building new road bridges over the rail line, creating safer connections to the Western Freeway and newly built residential areas.

It's been a busy couple of months at Ferris and Hopkins roads, with all concrete bridge beams lifted into place and bridge decks completed.

At Ferris Road, 2 cranes weighing up to a combined 800 tonnes positioned 14 concrete beams on either side of the rail corridor. Each beam weighs up to 49 tonnes and was made locally in Melton. At Hopkins Road, 2 cranes weighing up to 750 tonnes lifted 27 concrete beams and poured 310,000 litres of concrete to form the new road bridge deck.

Crews have finalised the installation of concrete road barriers, anti-throw screens and the construction of the road alignment.

Over the coming months the teams will continue to finish the retaining walls at Ferris Road, and at Hopkins Road the team have started landscaping the road bridge embankment.

At Hopkins Road, we'll plant over 200 trees and more than 80,000 native grasses and shrubs in areas that will form sloped parts of the road bridge.

At Ferris Road, landscaping will include over 200 native trees and 45,000 shrubs plants and glasses in the local area.

The Ferris Road and Hopkins Road level crossings will be gone for good with drivers, pedestrians and bike riders travelling on the new road bridges next year.

New Coburns Road rail bridge taking shape

Coburns Road has been taken to new heights with a vital piece of the rail bridge in place over the road.

Built in Tasmania, the steel bridge beams were moved on ships, trucks and cranes to take place above and across Coburns Road.

The steel bridge was installed on Friday 14 November, with members of the community coming to watch the carefully planned lift.

The Coburns Road rail bridge will be around 220m long, including steel bridge beams around 42.5m long, over Coburns Road.

Once complete the Coburns Road bridge will have a height clearance of 5.9m.

Works will continue on the Coburns Road bridge throughout out December and January with the road closed at times and detours in place. For closure dates and times visit the Victoria's Big Build disruptions map.

On track to open Melton Station next year

The new elevated Melton Station will feature four platforms with undercover areas to provide shelter from the weather and an air conditioned waiting room.

The station car parks will have improved layouts, with pedestrian paths throughout the precinct helping you move around the area.

The new station precinct will also include upgraded lighting and CCTV cameras to enhance safety.

We've completed 55 per cent of the 16m wide pedestrian through link, which will connect passengers to all 4 platforms.

The northern car park at Melton Station has reopened and is available for passengers to use.

We thank passengers for their patience and we look forward to opening the new Melton Station next year.

Upcoming works

To allow us to continue building the new rail bridge, Coburns Road will be closed between Staughton Street and James Melrose Drive from 9am to 3pm, as required until Friday 19 December. Detours via Brooklyn Road, Exford Road and Staughton Street.

Visit our Melton level crossing removals project page to view Melton disruptions.

Young artists on display

Kids of Melton have showcased their talent by creating art that reflects what they see in the local community.

We're proud to partner with local schools and early learning centres to showcase art that represents students’ and children’s connection to community, culture and place.

Eleven local schools and early learning centres, with students ranging from preschoolers to secondary students, contributed their creative talents, creating pieces that are displayed outside the temporary Melton Station, off Brooklyn Road.

Students drew on themes such as the new Melton Station, transport, flora and fauna, importance of family, and First Nations people.

Project timeline

2023

• Project fast tracked
• Level crossing removal solutions confirmed
• Community consultation

2024

• Concept designs released
• Further community consultation
• Final designs released
• Early works
• Construction begins

2025

• Construction

2026

• Construction
• New Melton Station open
• All 4 level crossings gone for good

2027

• Landscaping
• Finishing works

Keep in touch

• Subscribe to email updates
• Sign up for SMS updates
  • Text MELTON to 0428 581 917 to stay up to date on works for  the new Melton Station, Coburns and Exford roads level crossing removals.
  • Text FERRIS to 0439 979 482 to stay up to date on works for the Ferris Road level crossing removal.
  • Text HOPKINS to 0438 702 491 to stay up to date on works for the Hopkins Road level crossing removal
• For more information visit the Melton level crossing removals project page
• Follow us on social media or send us a private message on our Facebook page
• 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