The Victorian Government is removing 17 dangerous level crossings, including the one at South Gippsland Highway, Dandenong South as part of a $16 billion investment to upgrade the Pakenham Line that will improve safety, reduce congestion and allow more trains to run more often.

Major construction is progressing on the new South Gippsland Highway road bridge over the Pakenham Line, that will see the level crossing gone for good in 2022.

New bridge taking shape – works in your area

Works continue on the new intersection between South Gippsland Highway and Princes Highway, which will improve safety and traffic flow.

In mid February, we’ll work around the clock during a closure of the Pakenham Line to install beams for the new road bridge. To allow us to safely carry out works, South Gippsland Highway will be closed at times.

You can still move through the area and it's business as usual for local traders. Plan ahead and allow extra time.

Text SGH to 0429 699 579 for SMS alerts about upcoming travel changes in the area.

Project features

• More reliable travel times
• Improved safety and traffic flow in Melbourne's south east
• New walking and cycling connections and better access to traders
• Supporting the local economy and jobs

What's been happening

Since mid 2020, we've dug 33 piles and built 7m tall abutment walls, forming the new road bridge foundations. We're now installing 674 retaining wall panels, which will hold more than 116,000 tonnes of soil between them - that's more than 52 Olympic swimming pools.

Safer connections are coming soon, as works continue on the new intersection on Princes Highway.

New traffic signalling infrastructure has been installed and we've started works on new pedestrian connections.

So far, we've laid more than 3700 tonnes of new asphalt in the area.

Building a safer intersection

The new signalised intersection between South Gippsland Highway and Princes Highway is designed to make traffic movements safer by replacing existing merging lanes with dedicated left and right turning lanes. This will keep traffic flowing through the area.

Go Dandenong South

Support your local traders. Businesses are open while we work.

February construction blitz

We’ll work around the clock during a closure of the Pakenham Line from Friday 19 February to Friday 26 February.

During this time, we’ll install 17 super-T beams, weighing 30 tonnes each across the abutment walls to connect the new South Gippsland Highway road bridge.

The beams are made locally in Melton, Victoria from Australian materials and will be transported overnight to minimise disruption to drivers.

We'll also complete the first section of the new shared use path along South Gippsland Highway.

What to expect

South Gippsland Highway will be closed between Princes Highway and Dandenong Bypass from:

• 11pm Friday 19 February to 6am Saturday 20 February
• 5pm Sunday 21 February to 2am Monday 22 February.

You can detour via Frankston Valley Highway (Frankston–Dandenong Road) and Dandenong Bypass. Local access will be maintained to Fowler Road.

Traffic management and detours will help you move safely through the area.

Buses will replace trains on sections of the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, while level crossing removal works are also carried out along the Pakenham Line at:

• Cardinia Road, Pakenham
• Clyde Road, Berwick
• Hallam Road, Hallam.

As part of Victoria’s Big Build, works continue this summer to build a better train network for all Victorians and make it safer and easier to travel around Melbourne.

Visit Victoria’s Big Build for more information about disruptions in your area.

Changes to how you travel

Road

• Detours in place. South Gippsland Highway will be closed between Princes Highway and Dandenong Bypass from 11pm Friday 19 February to 6am Saturday 20 February, and 5pm Sunday 21 February to 3am Monday 22 February.
• One northbound lane will be closed on South Gippsland Highway between Princes Highway and Fowler Road from 6am Saturday 20 February to 10pm Friday 26 February.
• One southbound lane closed on South Gippsland Highway between Princes Highway and Fowler Road until late 2021.
• One westbound lane closed on Princes Highway, near the level crossing until late 2021.
• No left turn from Princes Highway into Claredale Road. Access via Plunkett Road.

Rail

• Buses replace trains on sections of the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines from 10pm Friday 19 February to last service Thursday 25 February. Plan your journey at ptv.vic.gov.au

Pedestrian and cyclist

Detours in place. Sections of Princes Highway and South Gippsland Highway are closed to pedestrians and cyclists until late 2021.

Road upgrades nearby

Major Road Projects Victoria will start works later this year to upgrade the Frankston–Dandenong Road bridge over the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.

The upgrade will be delivered as part of the Pound Road West Upgrade to improve traffic flow and travel times in the area and safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Find out more about the Pound Road West Upgrade and sign up for project updates at the Major Roads Projects Victoria website.

Project timeline