Golden Way now open

We’re removing the dangerous level crossings at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road in Diggers Rest to make journeys safer and more reliable – while paving the way for more trains, more often once the Metro Tunnel opens. The first of these bridges at Old Calder Highway is now open, with the new Watsons Road bridge due to be completed in the coming months.

On Wednesday 18 June, the new Golden Way bridge opened at Old Calder Highway, marking the removal of the 86th dangerous and congested level crossing.

The new road bridge separates vehicles from trains by connecting Old Calder Highway to Diggers Rest Coimadai Road over the rail line, boosting safety and easing congestion for locals.

With the level crossing now gone for good, the Sunbury Line is one step closer to being level crossing free this year. The recent boom gate removal at Calder Park Drive and Holden Road in Calder Park mark major milestones, with works progressing well at Watsons Road in Diggers Rest.

In the coming months, crews will continue building a new community space with landscaping and improved pedestrian links between the Diggers Rest Station precinct and the post office. The cycle path along Golden Way is now open with the permanent lighting switched on.

On Watsons Road, crews will install the pedestrian path and continue painting the bridge. The new road bridge at Watsons Road will open later this year.

Thank you Diggers Rest locals for your patience whilst we completed these works.

Project benefits

• Easing congestion and improving safety
• 2 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

Your new Golden Way bridge

Since the opening of Golden Way, drivers can now safely travel over the rail line on the new road bridge at Old Calder Highway. The new road bridge connects Old Calder Highway with Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road and permanently closes the level crossing to vehicles.

Features of the new road bridge

The new road bridge features two lanes for vehicles, along with a dedicated raised bike path for safer cycling access.

The retaining walls of the new road bridge are textured in a stone-like pattern to reflect the natural geology found in the local area. The sides of the bridge also have concrete barriers with additional mesh screening at the peak of the bridge for safety.

Lighting is included on the new road bridge, improving safety and cyclist visibility.

Changes for vehicles

Drivers can now safely travel over the rail line south of Stan Payne Reserve, before following the road north and connecting to Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road.

The temporary speed limit on the new road bridge will be 40km/h until late 2025. When completed, the speed limit will be 50km/h.

Changes for cyclists and pedestrians

Commuters travelling by bike will continue to cross over the rail line at the current pedestrian gates and over the new bike path on Golden Way.

The pedestrian path which crosses the rail line at Diggers Rest Station will remain in its existing location to offer pedestrians the most efficient connection across the rail line.

Once the project is complete, getting around Diggers Rest Station will be easier and safer, with upgraded, accessible walking and cycling paths and new pedestrian crossings for everyone to enjoy.

These pathways and crossings will improve local access and pedestrian safety in and around Diggers Rest Station. They will also provide better connections to the Strategic Cycling Corridor in the area.

Temporary travel changes will be in place while we finish upgrading roads and intersections in 2025.

July online project update

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the July online project update. We appreciate your time and ongoing interest in the project.

During the session, we provided an overview of recent construction progress and shared upcoming milestones, including key works scheduled for the coming months. Attendees heard directly from the project team and had the opportunity to ask questions about local impacts, construction timelines, and future engagement activities.

Your feedback and participation continue to play an important role in shaping how we deliver the project.

If you couldn’t attend, a summary of the session is available on our project web page.

Super-T beams installed at Watsons Road

In June, crews in Diggers Rest worked across 2 days to lift 12 Super-T beams weighing 35 tonnes each. A giant crane carefully positioned the 24m long beams onto concrete piers across the 2 bridge spans, forming the foundations for the new road deck.

Manufactured in nearby Melton, these beams were lifted into place for the new Watsons Road bridge being built over the rail line to safely separate trains from vehicles and remove the level crossing.

With all the beams now installed, crews will connect the beams to the bridge abutments and piers, ahead of concreting the deck to tie the structure together. These works contribute to the delivery of the 350m long Watsons Road bridge that will open to traffic later this year.

Project timeline

Late 2022

• Site investigations and planning works

2023

• Community consultation
• Site investigations continue
• Concept designs released
• Further community consultation

Early 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

Early 2025

• Major construction starts at Watsons Road

Mid to 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.