Mt Derrimut Road level crossing gone, new station open

We're removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne by 2030.

The Mt Derrimut Road level crossing was 68th on the list. Now that it's gone, the Geelong and Ballarat lines are level crossing free between Deer Park and the city.

The new elevated Deer Park Station also opened in April with temporary access arrangements in place while crews continue works on the station precinct.

Major upgrade works at the intersection of Mt Derrimut, Station and Tilburn roads are also now complete, creating a new bus lane and improved access to the station precinct.

We’d like to thank the community for their patience while these vital works to improve safety and connections were completed.

Project benefits

• Improved safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists
• Increased accessibility to public transport services
• Better connections on both sides of the rail line
• A more reliable road network and better travel times
• Paving the way for future transport upgrades

Reducing our eco-footprint at Mt Derrimut Road

Our goal is to deliver sustainable infrastructure that continues to support safe and healthy Victorian communities into the future.

The Mt Derrimut Road project contributes to this goal by using sustainable construction materials, eco-friendly landscaping solutions and solar power to generate electricity out on site.

Solar power on site

A large temporary bank of solar panels was set up at the Mt Derrimut Road site compound soon after it was built.

These panels provide approximately 65% of the site compound’s energy needs.

To date this has saved 19.11 tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent of 79,000km driven by a car.

Permanent solar panels will be installed on the bus interchange when it is built. They will help power Deer Park Station sustainably into the future.

Deer Park (Poly)roks!

We've celebrated a construction industry first at Mt Derrimut Road, using a recycled plastic aggregate called Polyrok in the concrete roof of the new Deer Park Station buildings.

This sustainable concrete mix has diverted half a tonne or an estimated 125,000 pieces of soft plastic from landfill.

This is one way the Level Crossing Removal Project is striving to replace traditional materials with more sustainable alternatives.

In addition to the use of Polyrok, crews will also apply a special coating to the asphalt in the Deer Park Station car parks to reduce the levels of heat absorbed from the sun, known as the urban heat island effect.

Did you know?

Here are some of the facts and figures behind the work at Mt Derrimut Road.

1069

The number of reinforced concrete panels used to build the retaining walls of the Mt Derrimut Road rail bridge.

The retaining walls hold compacted soil in place to support the rail line as it rises from the ground at each end of the bridge.

50,000

The number of trees, plants and grasses that will be planted in the Deer Park Station precinct during the landscaping phase of the project.

Planting will include more than 500 saplings that will grow into mature trees for generations to come.

When landscaping is finished, there will be greater plant coverage in Deer Park, supporting the aims of the ‘Greening the West’ strategy developed to increase tree foliage and plant life in the western suburbs.

23,000

Vehicles per day that can now travel on Mt Derrimut and Station roads without being held up by boom gates.

63

The weight of the concrete used to build the Mt Derrimut Road rail bridge is equivalent to 63 blue whales.

Progress on the precinct

Works are continuing at the new Deer Park Station as we progress with building the new precinct, car park, multi-bay bus interchange and landscaped forecourts.

The ramp to Platform 2, public waiting room, toilets and northern car park are now open. Bicycle parking is available with full Parkiteer facilities to become available in the coming months.

While works continue, temporary access changes are in place. All access points to the station platforms will be available by December.

Preserving local environment heritage

Prior to works beginning on the Mt Derrimut Road level crossing removal, the team put measures in place to protect locally significant plants, including a giant succulent, almost half a century old, that stands near the western end of the new rail bridge.

The 4m tall succulent, known as an aloe arborescens, was planted in 1975 by local residents Douglas and Annie as part of a rock garden at the end of their street.

Douglas said he was pleased with the team’s efforts to preserve the plant and their willingness to work with locals during the project.

Project Timeline

Early 2021

• Concept designs released
• Community engagement

Mid 2021

• Site investigations

Early 2022

• Final designs released
• Early works and site establishment

Mid 2022

• Major construction started

April 2023

• Level crossing removed
• New Deer Park Station opened

Late 2023

• Station precinct and car park complete
• Landscaping complete
• Bus interchange complete

2024

• Project complete

*Timeline subject to change.