The new road bridge at Old Calder Highway is starting to take shape on the eastern side of the rail line

Works to remove the Diggers Rest level crossings underway

Major construction to remove the level crossings at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road, Diggers Rest has commenced.

We're building 2 new road bridges over the rail line to remove the level crossings, making the Sunbury Line level crossing free in 2025.

Major construction at Old Calder Highway kicked off in winter after the team moved into the site offices and set up work areas in the Diggers Rest Station precinct.

Crews have been working hard to build the bridge with piling works to create the foundations for the new road bridge now complete and works to build the bridge abutments and piers underway.

At Watsons Road, site establishment and early works are underway. Major construction to build the new road bridge will begin before the end of the year.

The Diggers Rest level crossings will be gone for good in 2025, improving safety, allowing more trains more often and preparing the area for future development.

Project benefits

• Easing congestion and improving safety
• Two new community spaces at Diggers Rest Station
• New and upgraded lighting and CCTV
• New and upgraded pathways and connections
• New longer bus bays at Diggers Rest Station
• Hundreds of new trees and shrubs

New road bridge taking shape at Old Calder Highway

Crews kicked off major construction in August using a 22.5m piling rig to create the foundations of the new road bridge, drilling 10 holes approximately 10m deep into the ground.

Steel reinforcement cages were then dropped into the holes and filled with concrete to create the foundations for the bridge.

These foundations are now growing from the ground up to create the piers that will support the concrete beams and road bridge structure.

A new temporary diversion road at Old Calder Highway opened to vehicles in August, allowing traffic to keep moving while we work to build the new roundabout and eastern bridge entrance.

This temporary road will stay open until the new road bridge is ready for opening in 2025.

Works to build the retaining walls on both sides of the rail line are underway.

To create the retaining walls, textured concrete panels are stacked on top of each other to create 2 tall wall structures.

As the walls take shape, crews will use crushed rock and soil to fill the gap between the 2 walls, creating the road bridge.

Works to build the eastern and western abutments are also progressing.

Crews use steel framing filled with concrete to create the abutment structures.

Each abutment provides a stable foundation to support the large beams that form the bridge structure that travels over the train tracks.

Quick facts on the new retaining walls at Old Calder Highway

• Each panel measures 2m x 2m
• All panels are made in a casting yard in Albury
• Over 360 panels will make up the eastern retaining walls
• Over 90 panels will make up the western retaining walls
• More than 10,000 cubic metres of crushed rock and soil will fill the gaps between the retaining walls

Head to our image gallery to see what we've been getting up to on site.

Victoria's Big Build project teams at the Sunbury Show in October

Out and about in the Diggers Rest community

While we've been working in the area, our team has been engaging with the community about upcoming works and disruptions.

• The team has been popping up at Diggers Rest Station to let commuters know about rail and car park impacts.
• We attended the Sunbury Show to talk to the wider community about local Victoria's Big Build projects and disruptions.
• Our first online project update was held in late October, read a summary of the session.

Have your say, help us name the new Diggers Rest road bridge

We are calling on the Diggers Rest community to help us choose a name for the new road bridge at Old Calder Highway in Diggers Rest.

View the shortlisted names and share your feedback

Visit Engage Victoria to complete the feedback survey by 11.59pm Thursday 19 December.

Aerial view looking south towards the new road bridge at Watsons Road, Diggers Rest. Artist impression only, subject to change.

Around the clock works in November and December

From Friday 29 November to Friday 13 December, we'll work 24/7 at the Watsons Road and Old Calder Highway project sites and in the rail corridor to:

• deliver and install large concrete beams at Old Calder Highway
• complete works in the rail corridor while trains aren't running
• continue utility relocation works
• remove the the boom gates at Watsons Road.

Looking south towards the new road bridge at Old Calder Highway from the corner of Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road to the west of Diggers Rest Station. Artist impression only. Subject to change.

Upcoming disruptions in Diggers Rest

While we work in the area, there will be some changes to the way you travel.

• Buses replace trains on sections of the Sunbury Line from 8.30pm, Wednesday 4 December to last service, Thursday 12 December.
• Watsons Road is closed at the level crossing from 7am, Tuesday 19 November 2024 until late 2025.
• Ongoing parking changes at Diggers Rest Station in late November through to late-December.

Visit our interactive disruptions map to learn more about upcoming road and rail disruptions.

Watsons Road closure

We're getting ready to remove the level crossing at Watsons Road, Diggers Rest.

We're setting up our site offices and work areas, ready for major construction to start before the end of the year.

To safely remove the level crossing and build the new road bridge at Watsons Road, we’ll close the road at the level crossing in late November and it will reopen in late 2025.

Head to our publication library to read our latest works notices.

Watsons Road works area map

Project timeline

Late 2022

• Site investigations and planning works

June 2023

• Community consultation
• Site investigations continue

September 2023

• Concept designs released
• Further community consultation

Late 2023

• Site investigations continue

March 2024

• Final designs released

Mid 2024

• Site establishment and early works underway at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road
• Major construction starts at Old Calder Highway

Late 2024

• Major construction underway at Watsons Road

2025

• Level crossings removed

* Timeline subject to change.

Stay up to date

• Be the first to know about the Diggers Rest level crossing removals by signing up for regular email updates.
• Sign up for SMS updates by texting DIGGERS to 0427 840 967.
• If you'd like to talk to us about the project, call 1800 105 105 or send an email to contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.
• For more information about the project, visit the project homepage.