Mt Derrimut Road community update – October 2022

20 October 2022

Building foundations at Mt Derrimut Road

We’re removing the level crossing at Mt Derrimut Road by elevating the rail line over the road to reduce congestion and improve safety. We’re also building a new Deer Park Station, creating a safer, better connected Deer Park.

Since August, we've been excavating and drilling deep holes into the ground to prepare the foundations of the new rail bridge and station.

We’re also building retaining walls for the rail bridge, and in the coming months, we'll lift concrete beams into place to support the elevated platforms and rail line as the new Deer Park Station begins to take shape.

The new station will feature 2 accessible elevated platforms, a bus interchange, improved pedestrian and cyclist connections and new landscaping.

By 2024, the Mt Derrimut Road level crossing will be removed and the new Deer Park Station open, making the Geelong and Ballarat lines level crossing free between Deer Park and the city.

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

Your new Deer Park Station precinct

The new Deer Park Station precinct will feature 2 accessible elevated platforms, an integrated bus interchange, improved pedestrian and cycling paths, landscaping and modern passenger facilities.

Shared use paths from Mt Derrimut Road, Railway Parade, Hemsley Drive and Eagle Way
New landscaping with native grasses, wildflowers and trees
Lighting and security cameras
Ramps, seating, weather protected stairs, platforms and waiting room

Artist's render of the southern entrance to the new Deer Park Station. In the foreground there are landscaped gardens and a pedestrian path leading to the station building. In the background we see the new Deer Park Station, with stairs leading up to the platforms on both sides. — Deer Park Station southern entry

Artist's render of the new Deer Park Station bus interchange. Pictured is the new rail bridge, pedestrian and cyclist connections, and a landscaped garden bed. — Deer Park Station bus interchange

Artist's render of the new lift shaft and seating area in the Deer Park Station building. The lift shaft features a orange and brown pattern, and the ceiling is a bright red orange colour. There is wooden seating bordering the lift shaft where people sit. — Deer Park Station ground level

Artist's render of the new Deer Park Station. In the foreground there are people pictured using the pedestrian paths, as well as landscaped garden beds. In the background is the new station building. — Deer Park Station northern entry

Deer Park Station air-conditioned waiting room with rooftop garden and elevated station platform. Artist impression only, subject to change.

Deer Park Station elevated platforms Artist impression only, subject to change. — Deer Park Station elevated platforms. Artist impression only, subject to change.

Deer Park Station lighting for safety. Artist impression only, subject to change.

Deer Park Station, aerial view. Artist impression only, subject to change.

The new rail bridge that will take trains over Mt Derrimut Road. Artist impression only, subject to change.

How we'll build the rail bridge

We'll build the new 1.2km bridge starting with retaining walls at each end to support the rail line as it rises from the ground.

Continuing on until November, crews will use two large piling rigs to drill 58 holes in the ground that are reinforced with steel and filled with concrete to form the foundations of the bridge.

Each hole will be up to 8.3m deep and 2.5m wide. The concrete used will be the equivalent of about 15 backyard swimming pools.

We'll also use over 1,000 concrete panels to build the bridge retaining walls, and deliver and install large concrete beams to support the elevated rail line and platforms at the new Deer Park Station.

Step by step at Mt Derrimut Road

Building the elevated rail bridge starts with deep concrete foundations near Deer Park Station and Mt Derrimut Road.

Piling rigs drill holes up to 8.3m deep.
A cylindrical steel reinforcement cage is inserted into each hole.
Each hole is filled with concrete creating a deep foundation called a pile.
A steel reinforcement cage is placed on top of each pile.
A mould is placed around the cage. Concrete is poured into the mould to form the bridge column and headstock at the same time.
Long L-shaped beams are lifted on top of the headstocks. Each pair of L-beams is joined together with concrete to form a U-trough.
A 44m steel bridge section will sit over Mt Derrimut Road, connecting the U-troughs on either side of the road.
The U-troughs are connected to retaining walls at each end of the bridge where trains return to ground level.
Crushed rock ballast and train tracks are laid and connected to the existing track.

Protecting the Golden Sun Moth

As part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to the environment, the Mt Derrimut Road Level Crossing Removal Project is protecting nearby habitats of the endangered Golden Sun Moth while we work.

The new station precinct design also includes an area to view Golden Sun Moth habitat and learn more about the species.

Did you know? Golden Sun Moths live underground as caterpillars for 2 or more years where they eat only native grass roots. When the adult moths emerge, they live for 1-4 days and don't eat at all.

Robinsons Road and Fitzgerald Road level crossings gone

The level crossings in Deer Park and Ardeer are among the most recently completed level crossing removal projects in Melbourne's west.

In early October, locals joined us to celebrate the removal of the Fitzgerald and Robinsons roads level crossings at a free community event held at Nancy Street Reserve.

The community enjoyed food and coffee from local traders, kids' activities, entertainment and more.

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

2024

Level crossing removed
New Deer Park Station open

View the PDF

Mt Derrimut Road community update \u2013 October 2022 (PDF 1.5 MB)