Level crossing-free Pakenham line by 2025, with Webb Street set to go

On behalf of the Victorian Government, with 55 level crossings already gone, we're getting rid of the dangerous and congested level crossing at Webb Street. A new station will be built at Narre Warren as part of the crossing removal, with modern facilities for the community.

Removing this crossing will improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. It will also reduce road congestion and deliver a more reliable road network, better connections and travel times. We are paving the way for more trains, more often and future transport upgrades.

Crews are already out on the ground removing other level crossings nearby so getting started on Webb Street now means less disruption for the community.

Why does the level crossing need to go?

• 19 near miss incidents have been recorded at the level crossing since 2012
• The boom gates can be down for up to 40 minutes of the morning peak when up to 25 trains pass through the crossing every day
• Delays can be caused for about 13,200 vehicles that pass through the crossing each day

A new rail bridge for Narre Warren

The Webb Street level crossing will be removed by building an elevated rail bridge over the road and a new station.

We previously proposed to remove the level crossing by lowering Webb Street and building a rail bridge over the road (a hybrid design). We have further progressed with assessments and development by teams of technical experts including engineers and construction specialists.

These assessments indicate the design solution that will deliver the best outcome for the community is a new rail bridge over the road. This design will not include lowering Webb Street.

A rail over road design solution in this location means:

• minimal impacts on underground utilities
• more trees and vegetation to be retained
• more capacity for community space
• more efficient construction with less disruptions to help keep communities along the Pakenham line moving.

Understanding the site

Planning is well underway to further understand the site and its surrounding area. We have already undertaken the following investigations:

Geotechnical – testing water and ground conditions

Environmental studies – investigating local flora and fauna, and nearby environmental features

Services – locating water, sewerage, electricity, gas, and telecommunication service pipes

Surveys – identifying local landscape and landmarks

These assessments help us identify and minimise disturbance to environmental and heritage elements in the area, inform the design of the project, and reduce impacts to community.

Level crossing-free line

Webb Street in Narre Warren is just one of five crossings in the area that we’re removing, helping create a level crossing-free Pakenham line that will change how locals live, work and travel.

These include:

• Station Street, Beaconsfield
• Brunt Road, Beaconsfield
• Progress Street, Dandenong South (closure)
• Station Street, Officer (closure)

Work is also underway on the Metro Tunnel, which will create room for 120,000 more passengers on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines during peak periods.

Have your say soon

Early this year, we will ask you to tell us how you use the area, improvements you would like to see, and your feedback on the design solution concept and selected features of the project.

In the meantime, the best way to stay in touch is by signing up for email updates on the Webb Street, Narre Warren project or send us a private message via our Facebook page.