Getting ready for construction

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

Early works are underway to remove the dangerous and congested level crossing at Calder Park Drive by building a road bridge over the Sunbury Line.

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

Before works get underway, we need to remove some trees and vegetation to make way for the new road bridge and shared use path along Calder Park Drive.

Works will take place in mid-2023 to remove trees and vegetation along the eastern side of Calder Park Drive.

We’ll plant more than 100,000 mostly native and indigenous plants, trees and grasses within the project area.

Managing tree and vegetation removal

We know how important trees and vegetation are to the local community and every effort has been made to minimise the impact of our works on local vegetation.

We work with arborists and environmental and sustainability specialists across all of our projects to minimise vegetation removal and manage the impacts on flora and fauna.

Assessing trees and vegetation

Each tree in the project area is individually profiled to help our team understand potential impacts to vegetation and wildlife.

Trees and vegetation are assessed to determine structural integrity, including:

• the size and location of tree roots
• health and life expectancy
• amenity and environmental value
• location of services in proximity to trees
• the presence of wildlife and habitat.

Where trees are to be retained, we’ll put physical barriers in place to protect them during construction.

Preserving trees and greenery

Minimising tree and vegetation removal is a priority as we develop designs and during construction. However, some tree and vegetation removal is necessary to safely build the road bridge and new shared use path.

Replanting and landscaping

Tree planting and landscaping will take place once major construction is complete in 2025.

We’ll plant more than 100,000 mostly native and indigenous plants, trees and grasses within the project area.

More information about what’s being planted in your neighbourhood will be available as the project progresses.

No Go Zones are also used to protect vegetation, habitat zones, heritage sites and waterways from the impacts of construction.

Reuse and environmental initiatives

We will work closely with local council and community groups to ensure that removed vegetation is repurposed for new uses or environmental initiatives.

• Some of the opportunities we’re exploring include:
• providing logs for use in gardens and parks
• donating timber for use by artists or in community projects
• using mulch in parks and gardens.

Indigenous garden at Clyde Road, Berwick