Boom gates to go a year ahead of schedule

Work is powering ahead to make the Lilydale Line level crossing free, and get rid of more boom gates on the Belgrave Line.

Four massive construction blitzes across Ringwood, Ringwood East, Croydon and Lilydale will deliver the biggest upgrade to the Belgrave and Lilydale lines since they were electrified in the 1920s.

We'll start our first construction blitz at the Bedford Road level crossing from 30 January to April 2024, At Croydon, in order to build the new transport hub, Croydon Station will close from 30 January until the new station opens by spring 2024.

During this time Lilydale Line trains will not stop at Croydon Station. Once trains are running on the Belgrave Line and Bedford Road is level crossing free, we'll start the construction blitzes at Dublin Road, Ringwood East, Coolstore Road, Croydon and Cave Hill Road, Lilydale.

While we work to finish building the new Croydon Transport Hub, new road connections and 685m long elevated rail bridge in Croydon, buses will replace trains on the Lilydale Line and there will be driver and pedestrian impacts throughout the area.

The new Croydon Transport Hub will open in 2024, a year ahead of schedule.

With construction now well underway, we've put the finishing touches on our landscaping designs for Coolstore Road. Works will also start on the Cave Hill Road, Lilydale level crossing later this year.

Changes to the way you travel through Croydon in 2024

• Lilydale Line trains will not stop at Croydon Station from Tuesday 30 January until the new station opens by spring 2024.
• Buses will replace trains on sections of the Belgrave and Lilydale lines from Tuesday 30 January to Friday 2 February 2024 and again in mid 2024.
• Coolstore Road will permanently close at the level crossing in autumn 2024 with new road connections opening by spring 2024.

Why this level crossing needs to go

• More than 10,000 vehicles travel over this road each day.
• Removing this level crossing will connect the Croydon precinct, which is currently divided by the rail line.
• With the boom gates gone, we can create safer and more efficient road connections for Croydon.
• More than 100 trains pass through the level crossing every weekday.

Final landscaping designs

We're building new road connections to replace the congested level crossing and roundabout, connecting Croydon's retail precincts, and creating more options to cross the rail line for all transport users.

New forecourts, pedestrian crossings, and walking and cycling paths will create a natural extension of the town centre, enhancing central Croydon as an appealing urban centre and bringing the community together.

More than 70,000 new trees, shrubs and grasses will be planted to complement the existing green and leafy character of Main Street and the Croydon town centre.

The native planting design including callistemon, silver-leaf stringybark, and gold dust wattles, increases biodiversity in the area, along with endangered native species such as long-leaved box trees.

Major construction overview

To safely remove the Coolstore Road, Croydon level crossing and build the new Croydon Transport Hub ahead of schedule, there will be road and rail disruptions and night works at times in Croydon in 2024.

Train passengers

• Lilydale Line trains will not stop at Croydon Station from Tuesday 30 January 2024 until the new station opens by spring. A shuttle bus will be in operation during this time, connecting train passengers from Croydon to train services at Mooroolbark and Ringwood East.
• Buses will replace trains on sections of the Belgrave and Lilydale lines from Tuesday 30 January to Friday 2 February and again in mid 2024.

Drivers

• Coolstore Road will permanently close at the level crossing in autumn 2024, with new road connections opening by spring 2024.
• There will be impacts to the intersection of Wicklow Avenue, Kent Avenue, Croydon Road and Coolstore Road.

There will also be disruptions in Ringwood, Ringwood East and Lilydale

• Bedford Road will be closed at the level crossing from Tuesday 30 January for approximately 2 months.
• Buses will replace trains on sections of the Belgrave Line from Tuesday 30 January to April 2024.
• Cave Hill Road will permanently close at the level crossing from Wednesday 24 January 2024.

Support your local traders

Access to local businesses remains open while we work.

Please continue to support your local traders in Main Street, Croydon Central, Civic Square and the Croydon Industrial precinct throughout the Coolstore Road Level Crossing Removal Project.

Project timeline

2022

• Early designs announced
• Community consultation
• Contract awarded

Early 2023

• Updated designs released
• Early works begin

Mid 2023

• Major works begin

Late 2023

• Final landscaping designs released

2024

• Croydon Station closes
• Coolstore Road closes at level crossing
• Major construction blitz
• Croydon Transport Hub open
• New road connections open
• Lilydale Line level crossing free

*Please note that the timeline is subject to change*

Stay up to date

• Sign up for email updates.
• Register for SMS updates by texting 'COOLSTORE' to 0438 942 094.
• You can contact us on 1800 105 105 or email us at contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au