Coolstore Road closing, new road connections open by spring

We're removing the dangerous and congested level crossing at Coolstore Road, Croydon, and building a new transport hub to connect Croydon's town centre.

We’re also building new road connections to replace the congested roundabout at Coolstore Road.

The new connections will link Croydon's retail precincts and create more options to cross the rail line.

To safely build the rail bridge and new road connections, Coolstore Road will close at the level crossing from Monday 15 April.

From early April, works will ramp up around the Main Street and Lacey Street intersection to prepare the area for the new Kent Avenue to Lacey Street connection.

We've been busy building the bridge foundations, lifting in pre-fabricated station buildings and relocating underground utility services in preparation for our next construction blitz later this year.

We’ve installed the first of 88 L-beams that will form the U-trough trains will run in when the rail bridge is complete.

More beams will be delivered and installed over the coming weeks.

Earlier in the year we worked 24/7 to demolish the 40-year-old station buildings and platform, leaving the tracks and rail infrastructure in place to allow trains to continue running while the new transport hub is built.

With the removal of the remaining level crossings in Croydon, Lilydale and Ringwood, the Lilydale Line will be Melbourne's first rail line to be boom gate free – one year ahead of schedule.

Why these level crossings need to go

• More than 10,000 vehicles travel over this road each day
• More than 100 trains pass through the level crossing every weekday
• 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

Upcoming changes to the way you travel

From Monday 15 April, Coolstore Road will close at the level crossing while we deliver and install beams that will form the new rail bridge.

When works are complete, Coolstore Road will connect with Main Street and the congested Coolstore Road roundabout will be gone.

Detours will be in place while we work.

From Thursday 4 April until mid May, we'll start drainage relocation works on Main Street and Lacey Street so we can construct the new road connection and signalised intersection between Kent Avenue and Lacey Street.

The new intersection will provide a safe and direct link between Kent Avenue and Lacey Street, and Coolstore Road and Main Street.

We'll also build a new intersection at Wicklow Avenue and Devon Street, providing locals with another way to cross the rail line.

The new road connections linking Croydon's town centre will be open by spring.

To build the new rail bridge and new Croydon Transport Hub we will:

• Pour and install 21 crossheads
• Build 28 bridge piers
• Dig a total of 28 monopiles and 20 abutment piles
• Lay almost 2.5km of new track
• Lift and install 88 L-beams to form the U-trough
• Install 12 Super T-beams to support the U-trough and station platforms

Thank you to everyone who has joined us for a walking tour or for one of our community events to learn more about the works in Croydon. We’ll be hosting more of these events over the coming months so keep an eye out for invitations and information about how to book your spot.

Works are on, shops are open

Thank you for shopping local while works ramp up in Croydon.

Spin to Win in Croydon

During April and May, we'll be out and about in Croydon hosting weekly Spin to Win giveaways. Come and say hi and have a spin to win some goodies from local traders. There's plenty of prizes up for grabs, including bespoke vouchers from your favourite traders and bonus Main Street vouchers.

Main Street Shopper Rewards: Spend $50, get $50 back!

Shoppers who spend $50 or more in one day at one or more eligible businesses on Croydon Main Street will receive a Main Street shopping voucher. Over 200 people have claimed their vouchers already! For a limited time in April and May, the voucher reward value will be increased to $50.

To claim your voucher, simply scan the QR code displayed in store, submit your receipts online and follow the instructions to collect your voucher from a pick-up point on Main Street.

See Terms and Conditions online.

Other projects in your area

A construction blitz is underway in Ringwood and Lilydale while we work to make the Lilydale Line level crossing free.

Visit our disruptions map to see the current disruptions in your area.

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