Major works are underway to remove the Coolstore Road level crossing and build a new Croydon Station and transport hub, making Croydon level crossing free by early July.

Earlier this month we farewelled the Coolstore Road boom gates, bringing the Lilydale Line one step closer to being level crossing free.

Major works on the Lilydale Line will begin this month, with buses replacing trains on sections of the Lilydale Line from Friday 24 May to early July. When complete, the Lilydale Line will be the first rail line in Melbourne to be boom gate free.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll work 24/7 to finish building the 687m long rail bridge, build new road connections to replace the congested roundabout and continue work on the new Croydon Station and transport hub.

The new road connections will see Coolstore Road continue into Main Street, and a signalised intersection will provide direct links between Wicklow Avenue, Croydon Road, Kent Avenue and Lacey Street. A new intersection at Wicklow Avenue and Devon Street will also provide another connection, opening in August.

When trains are back up and running on the Lilydale Line and the new road connections open in early July, we'll continue working on the new Croydon Station before it opens to passengers in late July.

With Coolstore Road now closed at the level crossing and the boom gates gone for good, our crews are continuing to build the rail bridge, and install piers and crossheads before lifting in more bridge beams.

Removing the remaining 2 level crossings at Coolstore Road, Croydon and Dublin Road, Ringwood East will make the Lilydale Line level crossing free by mid-2024 – a year ahead of schedule.

Why this level crossing needs 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.

Changes to the way you travel

From 8.30pm, Friday 24 May until early July, buses will replace trains on sections of the Lilydale Line while we work 24/7 to complete the rail bridge, new road connections and continue building the new Croydon Station.

During this time, train replacement buses will be located on Devon Street.

Coolstore Road remains closed at the level crossing, with detours in place until the new Kent Avenue to Lacey Street connection opens in early July.

From late May to late June, there will be staged closures of Wicklow Avenue between Alto Avenue and Toorak Avenue while we work 24/7 to complete pavement and intersection works.

There will be other local road and pedestrian impacts around the area while we work. We encourage you to plan ahead by visiting our disruptions page, and familiarising yourself with the road detours.

What to expect during our winter construction blitz

From Friday 24 May to early July, we'll work around the clock to:

• remove the old rail line and the remaining parts of the old Croydon Station
• deliver and install the remaining bridge beams
• install new rail infrastructure, including signalling and electrical equipment and new track and ballast
• install the remaining station buildings and continue working on the station precinct
• finish road works on the new Kent Avenue to Lacey Street connection and signalised intersection.

Lilydale Line trains will be running over the new rail bridge and cars will be driving on the new Kent Avenue to Lacey Street connection in early July.

With trains back up and running, we'll continue working on the new Croydon Station until it opens to passengers in late July.

Work on the new transport hub, featuring a 14-bay bus interchange, station car parks, pedestrian and cycling paths, landscaping and the new Devon Street to Wicklow Avenue road connection will continue into late 2024.

Other projects in your area

To make the Lilydale Line level crossing free in 2024 we'll also be working 24/7 at Dublin Road, Ringwood East and Cave Hill Road, Lilydale over the coming months.

There will be changes to the way you travel and move around the area while we work.

• Dublin Road closed from Friday 24 May to mid-June
• Ringwood East Station closed from Friday 24 May, with a brand-new station opening in early July
• Cave Hill Road closed at the level crossing, with a brand-new pedestrian underpass opening by spring.

Shop local in Croydon

Keep supporting local businesses in Croydon while major construction is underway.

Spin and Win takes off in Croydon

Local shoppers in Croydon have been loving Spin and Win, with more than 100 vouchers and goodies from local businesses given away throughout April and early May.

We’ll be hosting more Spin and Win giveaways over the coming weeks so come down and have a spin to win vouchers and goodies courtesy of local traders.

Make sure to sign up to SMS updates by texting ‘Coolstore’ to 0438 942 094 to find out where the next Spin and Win will take place.

Main Street Shopper Rewards

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.

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.

For more details visit the terms and conditions page.

Thank you for supporting local businesses while we work in Croydon.

Visit our info hub at Croydon Central

We’ve set up an info hub in Croydon Central shopping centre, which will be open until the project is complete later this year.

The info hub is located near Aldi and features project information and facts, along with images of the new Croydon Station and station precinct designs.

Members of the project team will be at the info hub every Wednesday from 11.30am to 12.30pm so come by to have a chat and find out how works are progressing.

Project timeline

2022

• Early designs announced
• Community consultation
• Contract awarded

2023

• Updated designs released
• Early works begin
• Major works begin
• Final landscaping designs released

Early 2024

• Croydon Station closes
• Coolstore Road closes at level crossing

Mid 2024

• Major construction blitz
• Lilydale Line level crossing free
• New road connections open
• New Croydon Station open

Late 2024

• Croydon Transport Hub open

* Timeline subject to change.