Updated designs and early works

We're making the Sunbury Line level crossing free by 2026, removing 8 dangerous and congested level crossings to improve safety, reduce congestion and run more trains, more often.

We’re removing the level crossing at Calder Park Drive in Calder Park by building a road bridge over the rail line, with one lane in each direction.

Traffic improvements in the area mean we can close the dangerous level crossing at Holden Road, making local roads safer and journeys on the Sunbury Line faster.

We’re also removing the level crossings at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road in Diggers Rest.

These projects build on the Sunbury Line Upgrade which, in conjunction with the Metro Tunnel, will allow more trains to run more often.

We've released updated designs for the new road bridge at Calder Park Drive, shaped by community feedback. We thank everyone for their input.

Construction will get underway soon with a contract awarded to an alliance comprising Fulton Hogan, Metro Trains Melbourne and the Level Crossing Removal Project.

The Calder Park Drive and Holden Road boom gates will be gone for good by 2025.

Car Parks for Commuters

We're building 485 new and upgraded car spaces at Watergardens Station, with more bike hoops, CCTV and lighting. Works will be complete in late 2024.

Why these level crossings need to go

• More than 10,000 vehicles travel through each day
• Allows more trains to run more often on the Sunbury Line
• Boom gates down for up to 20% of the morning peak
• 3 serious collisions since 2016
• 25 trains during the morning peak.

How the community shaped the new designs

Thank you for your feedback. We received 147 survey responses on our initial concept designs during consultation in June and August 2022.

Engage Victoria had 3420 website visits and hosted 2 face-toface community pop ups at Watergardens Shopping Centre and FoodWorks, Hillside.

We’ve updated designs based on the key themes we heard were important to you.

What we heard

Natural look and feel

• We’re using earthy coloured panels on the new road bridge with a pattern that references the nearby Organ Pipes National Park.
• We’re planting a vegetated embankment to minimise concrete and complement the Banchory Grove Grasslands.

Native landscaping

• We’ll plant more than 100,000 mostly native and indigenous plants, trees and grasses at Calder Park Drive and Holden Road to reflect the local landscape.

Future proofing

• The new road bridge design allows for future road upgrades.

Better bike riding and pedestrian connections

• An accessible shared use path with a ramp and stairs will run on the eastern side of the road bridge, connecting to future walking and cycling links.

Lighting and safety

• New spaces will be well-lit with clear lines of sight to ensure pedestrian and driver safety.

We're working with the Wurundjeri Cultural Heritage group to connect community to country at Calder Park Drive. We'll provide an update as the project progresses.

Read our Consultation Summary Report for more information about what we heard.

Early works starting soon

We're getting ready for construction by setting up site offices and fencing off work areas. This will keep the community, our workforce and the environment safe.

This work will include:

• installing fencing, hoarding and temporary lighting around our sites
• building a temporary road alongside Calder Park Drive to keep traffic moving during works
• utility connection and relocation
• constructing storage and parking areas for our workers
• tree and vegetation removal - we'll do our best to retain as many trees as possible and replant at the end of the project
• traffic management at times on Calder Park Drive and Nottingham Way.

What to expect

We carefully plan and monitor all our construction activities to minimise impacts as much as possible.

We'll give regular updates to residents, businesses and schools through works notices, door knocks, signage and Informational online.

Read our latest works notice for more information.

Meet your new neighbours

We’ll be out and about in the coming months with more information on what to expect during construction and lots of fun kids activities. We'd love you to come and say hi.

Upcoming events

Sign up to our email updates and follow us on social media for more information about upcoming community events.

Holden Road Level Crossing

We're closing the Holden Road level crossing to make local roads safer and journeys on the Sunbury Line faster.

To keep traffic moving safely on the Calder Freeway, the U-turn facility near Holden Road will remain open for emergency services only from 2025. Drivers can U-turn at Bulla-Diggers Rest Road.

Project timeline

Mid to late 2022

• Early site investigations
• Community consultation

Early to mid 2023

• Contract award
• Designs updated based on community consultation
• Early works including site establishment

Late 2023

• Major construction starts

By 2025

• Calder Park Drive level crossing removed
• Holden Road level crossing closed
• Landscaping and finishing works

*Timeline subject to change.

Diggers Rest

We’re removing the level crossings at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road by 2026. Site investigations for these level crossing removals are underway and you will hear more from our teams soon.

Stay up to date

• Text Calder to 0436 483 603 for future SMS alerts about construction impacts and traffic changes in the area
• Visit the Level Crossings Facebook page