Level-crossing free Brunt Road. Artist's impression, subject to change.

The Victorian Government is removing 22 dangerous level crossings, including the one at Brunt Road, Beaconsfield as part of a $15 billion investment to upgrade the Pakenham Line that will improve safety, reduce congestion and allow more trains to run more often.

The Brunt Road level crossing will be removed by building a new road bridge over the Pakenham Line, improving safety and easing congestion for the 8400 drivers passing through each day.

The Brunt Road boom gates are down for up to 20% of the morning peak, so removing this level crossing is critical to improving safety in one of Melbourne’s fastest growing regions.

The road bridge design means we can remove the Brunt Road level crossing sooner with less disruption for drivers and train passengers during construction.

The boom gates will be gone for good in 2025, when the Pakenham Line will become level crossing-free.

We’ve already removed 12 level crossings on the Pakenham Line, including the nearby level crossings at Hallam Road in Hallam, Clyde Road in Berwick, South Gippsland Highway in Dandenong South, and Cardinia Road in Pakenham.

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

Brunt Road, Beaconsfield

How we’re removing the level crossing

Each level crossing has its own set of characteristics to consider when preparing to remove it. Technical, environmental and community factors all contribute to the design process and we have identified a road bridge as the best fit for the local area.

Why a road bridge is the best design for Brunt Road

Throughout the design and development of the Brunt Road level crossing removal we looked at a range of road and rail solutions and assessed the benefits to the local community and wider transport networks.

A road bridge allows for:

Less road and rail disruptions

Building the road bridge alongside the existing road allows us to keep Brunt Road open for the majority of construction. It also means fewer works along the Pakenham Line, which reduces disruptions to passengers.

Improved local connections

A road bridge will ensure surrounding streets and paths are better connected, creating cyclist and pedestrian movement north and south along Brunt Road. There is currently no pedestrian crossing at the level crossing.

Less environmental impacts

This design ensures we minimise environmental impacts during construction and avoid endangered swamp woodland near the level crossing.

Future proofing

A road bridge does the best job of future proofing the area for possible transport upgrades including future track widening along the Pakenham Line. Building a rail trench or rail bridge would impact the ability for these to be delivered.

Urban design improvements

The road bridge provides the opportunity to enhance the local area, through community input into design elements of the road bridge structure and landscaping around the site.

We’ll complete further site investigations and studies to refine the technical aspects of the new road bridge. Over the next few months, you may notice some machinery and workers in the area while this is happening. We’ll provide notice to nearby residents prior to site investigations.

Changes to local roads

We’ll need to change some local road connections to build the new road bridge.

Access to Brunt Road from Kenilworth Avenue and Copper Beech Drive will be closed permanently. Vehicles will still be able to access Brunt Road via Just Joey Drive. We're working closely with key stakeholders to ensure changes and disruptions to local traffic are minimised. We are monitoring traffic conditions to keep locals moving safely through the area.

We’ll work with nearby residents and traders to minimise any impacts during construction.

New shared use and pedestrian paths will connect to existing pedestrian links in the area, providing a direct link to local schools, shops and services on either side of the rail line.

Design options that would have maintained access from Kenilworth Avenue to Brunt Road would have required significant underground service relocations and extended road closures during construction, resulting in more disruptions for locals.

Brunt Road project map. Artist's impression, subject to change.

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.

Level-crossing free Brunt Road. Artist's impression, subject to change.

Help shape your local area

Help us achieve the best outcome for your community by sharing your thoughts on selected urban design aspects, including walking and cycling connections, landscaping and the look and feel of the new road bridge.

While there are some constraints that will influence parts of the design, we want to know what you value about the local area, and how you move around it, so we can reflect this in the design.

Community feedback will help refine the final designs and we’ll provide a summary of what we heard from you.

Visit us online at Engage Victoria to learn more and provide your feedback until 5pm Monday 20 June.

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