View of the new road bridge at Brunt Road facing west from the new shared use path. Artist's impression, subject to change.

The Victorian Government has fast-tracked this level crossing for removal, with 22 level crossings being removed on the Pakenham Line to make it boom gate free by 2025. This will improve safety, reduce congestion and allow more trains to run more often.

Major works are underway to remove the level crossing at Brunt Road by building a new road bridge over the Pakenham Line. This will reduce congestion for the 8400 vehicles that pass through the crossing each day.

Final designs for the new road bridge have been released. The new designs have been shaped by community feedback and feature new walking and cycling connections, improved lighting and native planting.

Over the coming months, you can expect to see more construction vehicles in the area as we continue to relocate services and start works on the foundations for the new road bridge.

The boom gates at Brunt Road will be gone for good and the new road bridge open in 2025.

By 2025, with the completion of the Metro Tunnel, as well as bigger trains and high-capacity signalling, up to 121,000 extra peak hour passengers will be able to travel on the Pakenham Line each week.

Why the level crossing needs to go

• 8400 vehicles pass through the level crossing each day
• Boom gates down for 24 minutes of the morning peak
• 2 near misses and 1 collision since 2012
• 24 trains through the level crossing during the morning peak

Take a look at final designs

Last year we asked for your feedback on the Brunt Road level crossing removal project. Since then, concept designs have been refined with input from the local community.

We heard that connections, safety, landscaping and overall design are important to you.

Connections

We heard you want better walking and cycling connections.

There will be a new footpath and shared use path across the new road bridge, providing a direct link to local schools, shops and services on either side of the rail line.

New shared use and pedestrian paths on either side of the road bridge will connect to existing pedestrian links in the area, including a new connection from Kenilworth Avenue to Dodson Road.

Safety

We heard that safety is important to you.

There will be lighting along the new shared use paths and surrounding areas.

Protective throw screens made of heavy duty steel mesh will be added to the road bridge to provide passive surveillance from the shared use path.

Landscaping

We heard how important trees and green spaces are to the local community.

Additional vegetation and landscaping will be planted in the area, including around 100 new trees and 50,000 plants, shrubs and grasses.

Overall design

You told us you would prefer infrastructure to reflect a natural look and feel.

Natural, earthy colours have been chosen for the road bridge walls and screening.

The colours tie into the area’s history as a brick producing region and clay soils found in the area.

Major construction is starting

What we've been up to

Establishing our work site and setting up road barriers to keep the community and our workforce safe.

Completing critical 24/7 works in the rail corridor to prepare the area for construction.

Relocating services to ensure we can safety lay the new bridge foundations.

What’s next

Until the end of the year, we will continue to relocate utilities and start works on the foundations for the new road bridge.

Later this year, we will start works to permanently close access to Brunt Road from Kenilworth Avenue and Copper Beech Drive. Vehicles will still be able to access Brunt Road via Just Joey Drive.

We’ll keep you up to date about changed traffic conditions in the area as works progress.

Piling works

We've been busy installing piles on either side of the rail line.

Piles are concrete columns placed in the ground to support structures such as the road bridge and retaining walls. At Brunt Road, we're putting 26 piles vertically in the ground up to 24 metres deep.

You may notice an increase in noise, light, vibration and construction traffic moving through the area during this time.

We loved seeing you at our community pop-ups this March and April

Thanks to the community for visiting our Brunt Road community pop-up on Saturday 22 April.

Around 100 people came to Dodson Road Reserve to learn more about the project and ask the team questions.

The community enjoyed free coffees, cupcakes and interactive kids activities with miniature cranes, known as Building Blocks.

Our team will continue to work with the community to keep you informed as works progress through a range of channels, including letterbox drops, door knocks, email updates, SMS alerts and social media.

Building Blocks at the Beaconsfield community pop-up in April.

Project timeline

Mid 2022

• Early site investigations
• Community consultation

Late 2022

• Designs updated based on community consultation
• Contract award

Early 2023

• Early works

2023

• Major construction

2024

• Level crossing removed

*Timeline above subject to change.

Stay up to date

Sign up for email updates or connect with us on social media for the latest project news.

Text Brunt Road to 0429 728 488 for future SMS alerts about construction impacts and traffic changes in your area.