Aerial view looking north at the new road bridge at Old Calder Highway and Diggers Rest Station. Artist impression only, subject to change.

First look at concept designs

We're making the Sunbury Line level crossing free by removing all 8 dangerous and congested level crossings by 2025, improving safety, reducing congestion and allowing more trains to run more often.

We're removing the level crossings at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road, Diggers Rest.

The two new road bridges will open and the level crossings will be gone for good in 2025.

This will improve safety and reduce congestion for the 6,300 vehicles that travel through these crossings every day - with these numbers set to grow with the future development of Diggers Rest.

Engineering assessments have determined that the best way to remove the level crossings at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road is by building road bridges.

Concept designs

Concept designs for both projects are now available to view. We're inviting the community to view the designs and attend an upcoming community consultation session.

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback by attending a community consultation session and filling out our survey in June and July. The concept designs have been shaped by your feedback.

Why do these level crossings need to go?

• About 6,300 vehicles travel through these crossings each day
• Boom gates are down for up to 36 minutes of the morning peak (7am to 9am)
• Up to 27 trains travel through these crossings during the morning peak (7am to 9am)

View when travelling west over the new road bridge at Old Calder Highway, Diggers Rest. Artist impression only, subject to change.

Have your say

Concept designs for the new road bridges are now available. We are inviting your feedback to help shape the designs.

We're seeking your feedback on the concept designs

Your feedback will help inform aspects of the final designs for the road bridges at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road. We want your feedback on look and feel elements of the designs like ground surfaces, seating and landscaping. View the concept designs and share your feedback at our online engagement hub.

All feedback must be received by 11.59pm Sunday 1 October 2023.

Attend a community consultation session

We'll be hosting in person and online consultation sessions in the coming weeks. Registrations will be essential.

Find out about the session dates and times and register at our online engagement hub.

Visit our online engagement hub

View the concept designs, share your feedback, ask a question and find out about upcoming community consultation sessions at Engage Victoria.

If you would prefer to fill in a hard copy feedback survey or planning submission, please contact us on 1800 105 105 and we will mail a form to you.

View when travelling over the new road bridge at Watsons Road, Diggers Rest. Artist impression only, subject to change.

Planning approvals

Planning approval for these projects will proceed under Clause 52.03 – Level Crossing Removal Project of the Hume Planning Scheme and Melton Planning Scheme.

The Level Crossing Removal Project is seeking community feedback on a range of planning matters, including:

• the proposed project boundary
• construction-related environmental, heritage and amenity impacts
• native vegetation
• management of potential impacts
• other project matters.

Feedback will inform the Minister for Planning’s assessment of the project under Clause 52.03.

You can also contact us by calling 1800 105 105 or emailing contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au to request a hard copy planning approval form. All submissions must be received by 11.59pm Sunday 1 October 2023.

Aerial view looking south west at the new road bridge at Old Calder Highway and Diggers Rest Station. Artist's impression only, subject to change.

Old Calder Highway

At Old Calder Highway, the new road bridge will start south of the existing level crossing and connect Old Calder Highway to Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road.

Engineering assessments have determined that a road bridge is the best design for the area. The road bridge will be two lanes with an additional raised bike path on the bridge.

Every effort has been made to minimise the impact of the project on landowners, however some land acquisition near both level crossings is required. The Level Crossing Removal Project team has been in contact with impacted landowners to support them through this process.

The design includes new community spaces to the east and west of Diggers Rest Station and preserves land for the Diggers Rest Bowls Club future expansion.

Other benefits of this design

• Safer local roads and improved travel times
• Improved walking connections to Diggers Rest Station
• No loss of car parking at Diggers Rest Station
• No impacts to heritage listed sites in the area, like the Diggers Rest Station building
• A new separated bike path on the road bridge
• New, longer bus bays to the west of Diggers Rest Station
• Avoids major service relocation and disruptions to utilities
• Reduced disruptions and impacts during construction.

How we determined the design solutions

During the design and development of this project, we looked at a range of road and rail solutions and assessed the benefits to the local community and wider transport networks. We have undertaken technical investigations and detailed design work while considering environmental and community factors to develop the best solution for the area.

To find out more, read our Selecting the best design for the Diggers Rest Level Crossing Removal fact sheet.

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

Watsons Road

At Watsons Road, the road bridge will go over the rail line at the same location as the existing level crossing.

Engineering assessments have determined that a road bridge is the best design for the area. The road bridge will be two lanes with an additional walking path on the bridge.

The new road bridge design will create more reliable journeys on Watsons Road and create safer connections over the rail line, future-proofing the area for planned growth and development.

Other benefits of this design

• A new walking path on the road bridge
• Considers impacts on cultural heritage, flora and fauna of the area
• Avoids relocation of essential services and utilities.

Consultation summary

The project was open for the first phase of community consultation from Tuesday 13 June to Sunday 16 July 2023.

There was a high level of interest from the community during consultation.

• 128 survey responses submitted
• 467 comments received at in-person and online consultation sessions
• Around 100 additional feedback submissions sent to LXRP.

During the consultation, you told us you:

• experience challenges with congestion, traffic and dangerous vehicle behaviour
• want safe ways to walk or cycle through the area
• value community meeting places and hubs
• value the local businesses and don’t want to divide the town.

How this feedback informed the designs:

• the level crossing removals and the new road bridges will make journeys faster and safer for all
• these designs include upgraded and safer pedestrian and cyclist connections
• the Old Calder Highway design creates new community spaces near Diggers Rest Station
• the designs maintain connectivity across the rail line to access shops, venues and services.

To read the full consultation report, head to our Reports page.

Old Calder Highway and Diggers Rest Station Precinct

Concept design

Investing in better transport for Melbourne's west

Works are also underway to build a new road bridge at the nearby Calder Park Drive, Calder Park.

Getting rid of the level crossing will improve traffic flow, meaning the nearby level crossing at Holden Road can be closed permanently, making journeys faster and local roads safer.

The Diggers Rest level crossing removals will build on the Victorian Government's $27 billion investment in transport improvements in Melbourne's west, including the Sunbury Line Upgrade, which was completed this year and included power upgrades, new track and moved stabling to allow high capacity trains to run on the line.

Combined with Metro Tunnel, it will give Sunbury Line passengers direct access to five new underground stations, including connections to the City Loop, and will allow trains to travel 100 kilometres from Sunbury to Cranbourne and Pakenham without a single level crossing.

Project timeline

Late 2022 - early 2023

• Site investigations and planning works

June - July 2023

• Site investigations continue
• Community consultation

September 2023

• Concept designs released
• Further community consultation

Late 2023

• Final designs released

2024

• Construction begins

2025

• Level crossings removed

*Timeline subject to change.

Next steps

We are seeking feedback on the concept designs until 11.59pm Sunday 1 October 2023.

We still need to carry out further technical assessments and site investigations. We will update the community as we carry out these works.

Later this year, after further site investigations and consideration of your feedback, the final designs will be available to view. Construction will begin in 2024 with the crossings removed in 2025.

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.