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 March, we’ll continue works on the new road bridge at Old Calder Highway and site establishment works at Watsons Road.

What we’re doing

At Old Calder Highway, we’ll:

• close Diggers Rest Coimadai Road between Pepper Close and Welcome Road to complete drainage works, and build a new roundabout, connecting roads, lighting and footpaths for the new road bridge
• continue works to construct the bridge deck
• continue works to connect Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road and Old Calder Highway to the eastern and western abutments of the new bridge, including installing new bus bays, stormwater drainage and pavement layers
• widen the entry to the western station car park near Welcome Road.

At Watsons Road, we’ll:

• continue works to establish the site compound and construct temporary access roads
• continue utility and underground service works
• continue works on the western retaining wall
• commence ground and access preparation works for the eastern retaining wall
• commence piling at the new road bridge central pier and eastern abutment.

When we’ll work

• From 9pm to 3am, Monday 3 March, Tuesday 4 March and Wednesday 5 March, we’ll work in the rail corridor and within the project sites at Watsons Road and Old Calder Highway
• From 7pm, Monday 3 March until 7am, Saturday 8 March we’ll work at Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road to complete road works at the entry to the western station car park.
• From 8pm, Sunday 16 March to 6am, Monday 14 April we’ll work at Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road to complete road works and build a new roundabout at the bridge between Pepper Close and Welcome Road.

At other times, we’ll work:

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

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, Houdini Drive Plumpton Road, Tame Street, School Lane, and in the Diggers Rest Station car parks, Watsons Road, Old Vineyard Road, Bulla-Diggers Rest Road and Crinnion Road.

Changes to the way you travel

Rail

Sunbury Line

• Buses replace trains nightly between North Melbourne and Sunbury from 8.30pm to last service, Monday 3 March to Wednesday 5 March 2025.
• Visit the PTV website to plan your journey.

Road

Old Calder Highway

• Increased traffic and delays along the temporary detour route from 8pm, Sunday 16 March to 6am, Monday 14 April. Please allow extra time for your journey.

Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road

• Changed traffic conditions will be in place when the new roundabout opens to traffic from 6am, Monday 14 April.

Bus

Bus route 475

• During the road closure on Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road, PTV bus service 475 will detour via Welcome Road, Plumpton Road and License Road from 8pm, Sunday 16 March until 6am, Monday 14 April.

Paynter Avenue/Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road bus stop

• The bus stop will be temporarily closed from 6am, Wednesday 12 March until 6am, Monday 14 April.
• Temporary replacement bus stops for the 475 service will be located at:
  • Glitter Road/Welcome Road (stop ID 9142)
  • Search Road/Welcome Road (stop ID 7303)
  • Visit the PTV website to plan ahead.

Works area map

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.