We’re removing the level crossings at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road, Diggers Rest, improving local safety, and making the Sunbury Line level crossing-free in 2025.

In mid June, we’ll open the new road bridge connecting Old Calder Highway with Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road, and permanently close the level crossing to vehicles. The traffic will switch onto the new road bridge overnight on Tuesday 17 June. As there will be a change in driving conditions, please drive through the area with care.

When the road bridge opens, the project team will begin the second stage of major road works west of the rail line. As a result, Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road will be closed between the new road bridge and Old Calder Highway from overnight, Tuesday 17 June until 7am, Monday 21 July.

What we’re doing

At Old Calder Highway:

• Undertake finishing works on the road bridge and east and west approaches, including asphalting, screen installation, lighting and landscaping.
• Complete bus bays on the western approach to the road bridge.
• Build the new western car park access point from the road bridge and undertake pavement works in the western car park.
• Open the new road bridge to vehicles and permanently close Old Calder Highway at the level crossing.
• Install drainage, footpaths, lighting, landscaping and new road pavement on Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road.
• Build a new community forecourt east of the rail line, in front of Houdini’s Café e Cucina. Access to Houdini’s will remain throughout works.

At Watsons Road:

• Continue building the east and west retaining walls.
• Complete the bridge foundations, including central pier and eastern and western bridge abutment walls.
• Construct new council and rail maintenance access roads.
• Continue western drainage and off -structure barrier footing works.

When we’ll work

Day and night works:

• From 8pm until 5am, Sunday 15 to Tuesday 17 June on Old Calder Highway, between Punjel Drive (north) and Punjel Drive (south) to connect Old Calder Highway to the new road bridge.
• From 6pm, Tuesday 17 June until 6am, Monday 21 July we will work 24/7 on Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road, between the new road bridge and the rail line, and on Old Calder Highway just east of the rail line in front of Houdini’s Restaurant.

At other times, we’ll work:

• 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
• 7am to 1pm, Saturdays.

We’ll make every effort to complete works on schedule, however they are weather dependent and dates are subject to change.

What to expect

You may notice low to moderate levels of noise, dust and vibration.

You may also notice construction vehicles and trucks on local roads, including Old Calder Highway, Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road, Welcome Road, Plumpton Road, Houdini Drive, Tame Street, School Lane, and in the Diggers Rest Station car parks, Watsons Road, Old Vineyard Road, Bulla-Diggers Rest Road, Crinnion Road and Buckley Road.

Changes to the way you travel

For your safety, please follow signage and traffic management in place. See detour maps below.

Road

New road bridge connecting Old Calder Highway with Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road

• The new road bridge open overnight on Tuesday 17 June.
• Changed traffic conditions will be in place on Old Calder Highway and Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road with east and west roundabouts in use.
• The temporary speed limit on the new road bridge will be 40km/h.
• Bike path closed on new road bridge to facilitate temporary lighting. Bike path to open late 2025.

Old Calder Highway level crossing

• Level crossing permanently closed to traffic overnight from Tuesday 17 June.
• Vehicles to use new road bridge to cross rail line.
• Level crossing will close when new road bridge opens.
• Pedestrian crossing at rail line will remain open.

Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road

• Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road will be closed between the new road bridge and Old Calder Highway from Tuesday 17 June until 6am, Monday 21 July.
• Vehicle detours in place via Welcome Road, Plumpton Road, Houdini Drive, Vineyard Road and Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road.

Bus

Old Calder Highway bus stops

• Two bus stops for the 475 and 483 services – Stop ID 7279 and Stop ID 9141 – on Old Calder Highway will permanently close from last service, Tuesday 17 June.
• Passengers will use the new stops opening on the road bridge.

Bus stops on new road bridge

• Two new bus stops for the 475 and 483 services will open on the road bridge from first service, Wednesday 18 June.
• Signage will be in place to guide passengers to the new stops.

Bus route 483

• PTV bus service 483 will be detoured via Diggers-Rest Coimadai Road, Vineyard Road and Plumpton Road from first service, Wednesday 18 June until last service, Sunday 20 July.
• Six bus stops for the 483 service will temporarily closed from first service, Wednesday 18 June until last service, Sunday 20 July.
  • Stops closing on Sunbury service – Mullock Road/Welcome Road (Stop ID 20054), Search Road/Welcome Road (Stop ID 7303) and Plumpton Road/Welcome Road (Stop ID 22404).
  • Stops closing on Moonee Ponds service – Ingot Road/Welcome Road (Stop ID 9144), Search Road/Welcome Road (Stop ID 9143) and Glitter Road/Welcome Road (Stop ID 9142)
• Visit the PTV website to plan your journey.

Pedestrian

Old Calder Highway, Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road and Welcome Road

• Footpaths and pedestrian access across Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road (between the new road bridge and Old Calder Highway) closed from Tuesday 17 June until 6am, on Monday 21 July.
• Changed pedestrian access to Diggers Rest Station.
• Pedestrian detour via Welcome Road, Glitter Road and Pepper Close.

Car parking

• Entry/exit to Diggers Rest Station western car park closed overnight, Tuesday 17 June until 6am, Monday 21 July.
  • Entry to the car park will be via the new road bridge.
  • Entry will be left in only, and exit left out only.
• Around 15 spaces closed in the western car near the rail pedestrian crossing from 7am, Monday 9 June until 7am, Monday 21 July.
  • Please use remaining available spaces.
• Around 25 additional spaces closed in the western car park, including 6 DDA spaces from 7pm, Tuesday 17 June until 7am, Monday 21 July.
  • Five DDA spaces available around 70m south, and a further 7 in eastern car park.
  • Please use remaining available spaces.
• Around 30 spaces will be closed intermittently in the middle section of the western car park to safely facilitate project works from 7am, Monday 2 June to 5pm, Tuesday 17 June.
  • Please use remaining available spaces.

Detour maps

More information

• Sign up for project updates.
• Text DIGGERS to 0427 840 967 to sign up for SMS alerts.
• If you have any questions or would like more information about the project, call us on 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au 24/7.