One of Victoria's worst level crossings is gone.

This means safer and less congested travel for 37,000 motorists each day and more reliable services on the Glen Waverley line.

The project recently completed a 9-day construction program to remove the level crossing for good. Crews worked around the clock to remove the boom gates on Toorak Road, install new tracks and overhead wiring on the rail bridge, complete signalling works and connect the rail bridge to the Glen Waverley line.

Following the successful construction program, trains returned to the Glen Waverley line on Easter Monday (13 April).

This milestone has been achieved by the dedicated workforce that continued to work safely with strict coronavirus measures in place.

Workers quickly adapted to modified construction activities to allow physical distancing. Extra protection has been provided for workers who need to work in proximity for short periods of time.

Strict protocols are in place to protect the health and safety of workers and the community and are consistent with the advice from the Chief Health Officer.

With major works on the rail bridge now complete, the project is focused on reopening Talbot Crescent and pedestrian and cyclist paths, installing landscaping and completing other open space improvements.

Why the Toorak Road level crossing had to go

• 37,000 vehicles used the level crossing each day
• 150 daily train services, 44 during peak periods
• at least 5 accidents and near misses since 2005
• boom gates were down for 35% of the morning peak
• improve traffic flow on and off the Monash Freeway.

Landscaping

Through careful design, the project has been able to boost plant numbers from 23,000 to 37,000 new trees, shrubs and grasses, including up to 340 mature trees.

Brite Services – a social enterprise – has been contracted to grow all 37,000 plants for the Toorak Road level crossing removal project.

Being a social enterprise, Brite Services supports and empowers people by creating employment opportunities for people living with a disability.

The organisation has been operating for more than 40 years and currently employs over 220 people.

The 37,000 plants will be planted throughout the project area, beginning in September.

Planting by the numbers

• up to 340 mature trees, up to 2m in height at planting
• up to 800 semi-mature shrubs that can grow up to 2m in height
• more than 16,000 plants that can grow up to half-a-metre
• up to 20,000 other plants and grasses.

Talbot Crescent realignment and Toorak Road pedestrian crossing

Works have commenced on realigning and reconnecting Talbot Crescent to Toorak Road. This important local road connection is expected to reopen to traffic in June 2020.

Drivers using Talbot Crescent will still have the same left-in and left-out access onto Toorak Road. The intersection is being moved further west to avoid conflict with the new rail bridge and to give drivers a safer opportunity to turn right onto the Monash Freeway from Talbot Crescent.

Pedestrians and cyclists can now enjoy the new pedestrian crossing on the western side of the rail bridge, safely linking users to both sides of Toorak Road.

The pedestrian lights synchronise with the traffic lights at the Monash Freeway intersection to keep traffic flowing. This also provides short breaks in traffic to help people turning onto Toorak Road from side streets.

How you’ve influenced the design

We received more than 2000 pieces of feedback from almost 500 people during months of community engagement on key elements of the project.

As a result, the project is delivering:

• safer pedestrian and cycling connections via a new signalised crossing on the western side of the new rail bridge
• new community open space at Tooronga Park, incorporating fitness, play and shaded garden elements
• a 1.2m high perforated green screen on the rail bridge to partially shield trains from view
• landscaping that incorporates native trees and shrubs
• a ‘green buffer’ for Talbot Crescent, where trees and shrubs will screen the retaining wall.

Tooronga Park

Tooronga Park is expected to reopen for public use in August 2020, complete with new walking and cycling paths and outdoor spaces.

Getting Ferrie Oval ready for the Gladiators

With over 700 boys and girls, the Glen Iris Gladiators Junior Football Club is one of the biggest sport clubs in the area.

One of their ovals, Ferrie Oval, was used during the construction of the level crossing removal project.

The project team will soon remove the site sheds and the oval’s playing surface is being reinstated so that it is ready to play on next season.

Upcoming disruptions

To safely complete scheduled maintenance works on the new rail bridge and undertake road works for the Talbot Crescent realignment, there will be changes to the way you travel in May.

Toorak Road will be closed in both directions between the Monash Freeway intersection and Elizabeth Street from 9pm Friday 8 May until 5am Monday 11 May.

Buses will replace trains on the Glen Waverley line between Burnley and Darling stations from 11pm Friday 8 May until the last train Sunday 10 May.

Project timeline

Please note that the timeline above is subject to change.