Making Macleod and Rosanna boom gate free

We're removing the Ruthven Street, Macleod level crossing by building a rail bridge over the road.

Removing the level crossing will eliminate almost half an hour of boom gate down time in the morning peak alone, saving travel time for 12,600 drivers each weekday.

Making Macleod and Rosanna level crossing free will also improve safety, reduce congestion and create more reliable travel times for drivers, pedestrians and bike riders – building on the benefits unlocked by the North East Link Project.

The project follows the level crossing removals at Grange Road, Alphington and Lower Plenty Road, Rosanna, and the Hurstbridge Line Duplication project, investing in safer local communities and a better transport network for all Victorians.

The project is in the early planning stages and site investigations are underway. Further detailed design, engineering assessments and community consultation will inform the design of the project.

Construction will begin in 2026 with the boom gates gone for good and the new rail bridge complete in 2027.

Why this level crossing needs to go

• About 12,600 vehicles travel through this crossing each day
• Boom gates are down for up to 29 minutes of the morning peak (7am to 9am)
• Up to 28 trains during the morning peak (7am to 9am)

A new rail bridge for Macleod and Rosanna

Engineering assessments determined we're removing the Ruthven Street level crossing by building a rail bridge over the road.

A rail bridge design has many advantages:

• connects the community by removing the barrier of the rail line
• more reliable travel times with no boom gate delays
• improves safety for locals and road users
• creates space for landscaping.

Next steps

Community consultation will begin in the coming months to better understand what locals love about Macleod and Rosanna and how they move around the area.

This input, along with technical assessments and engineering requirements, will inform concept designs.

We’ll also share more information about the project and ways to get involved.

Project timeline

2022

• Project announced

2024

• Site investigations

2025

• Site investigations
• Community consultation

2026

• Concept designs released and further community consultation
• Final designs released
• Site establishment and early works
• Construction

2027

• Construction
• New rail bridge open
• Level crossing removed

*Timeline above subject to change

Keep in touch

The best way to stay up to date with the project is to:

• read more about the project at on Ruthven Street, Macleod homepage
• subscribe to email updates
• follow us on Instagram or send us a private message on our Facebook page