The Victorian Government is removing the level crossings at Oakover Road, Bell Street, Cramer Street and Murray Road in Preston, and building new Bell and Preston stations.

The level crossings will be removed by raising the rail line over the roads on the Mernda line, delivering new open space underneath the two-kilometre rail bridge.

Works have started to prepare for the removal of the four level crossings, including the relocation of major underground services, site investigations and utility maintenance works. Removing the level crossing will improve safety and traffic flow while creating better local east–west connections.

To build the rail bridge, specialised machinery is needed. As with any major construction, this can result in noise and vibration.

While we build the new rail bridge, we have management plans in place to mitigate the impacts of any:

• noise and vibration
• light spill during nightworks
• dust and mud
• traffic congestion.

Reducing noise and vibration

Noise and vibration management is a critical part of our planning process before construction.

To minimise potential noise and vibration impacts to local residents, we:

• schedule works during the daytime as much as possible, generally from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 3pm Saturdays
• use temporary noise mounds and barriers where appropriate
• use quieter reversing alarms on our vehicles and machines.

At times, we will have to work during the night. When 24-hour work is anticipated, we’ll provide you with plenty of notice.

During our works, the project team monitors noise and vibration levels to make sure they are within the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) noise control guidelines.

You can find out more about the guidelines at the Environment Protection Authority website.

If at any time our works significantly disturb you, please call us on 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au 24 hours a day, seven days a week to discuss your options.

Temporary lighting during night works

At times, we’ll need to light up an area for the safety of the general public and our workers.

To minimise the potential for any temporary spill from lighting towers, we:

• keep the amount of light to the minimum necessary for safe access or construction
• direct light towers away from homes, businesses and public buildings.

Dust and mud management

We use a range of measures to minimise dust from construction activities, including:

• placing dust monitors at strategic locations
• using water carts to spray and suppress dust on hot days
• wherever possible, planning topsoil removal and levelling on less windy days
• staging works to minimise exposed areas
• limiting speeds and using crushed rock on long-term construction access roads
• covering truck loads and stockpiles with excess soil
• installing angled iron at entry points of the work site to minimise dirt and mud on public roads.

Keeping traffic moving

Our works take place on and next to key local and arterial roads. This may lead to occasional changes to how you drive, cycle and walk through the area and potentially cause delays. For your safety, and the safety of our workers, follow the detour signs in place.

At times we may impact access to properties to carry out work safely. The team will directly contact affected residents and business owners.

We will always maintain access for emergency services.

How we’ll keep you up to date

We will notify potentially affected residents and businesses well in advance of works through direct updates via letterbox drops and, at times, in person.

Stay up to date by signing up for SMS disruptions alerts by texting PRESTON to 0428 581 917.

Translated versions of this fact sheet are available