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 the coming weeks, we will start preparing the Old Calder Highway level crossing removal site for major construction later in the year. This will include setting up fenced site offices and work areas, installing signage, and removing vegetation. We’ll also work over 2 nights in late May to install concrete barriers next to the road on Old Calder Highway.

What we’re doing

During these works from Monday 13 May until late August 2024, we will:

• Install site fencing, concrete barriers and traffic management signs
• Establish work areas
• Build a site office (also known as site compound), in Stan Payne Reserve, off Old Calder Highway (with lighting in place)
• Carry out underground utility works along Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road
• Assess all vegetation to be removed to ensure that any flora and fauna are managed appropriately by qualified arborists and wildlife handlers
• Remove some trees and vegetation beside Old Calder Highway and Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road, from within Stan Payne Reserve and beside the western car park at Diggers Rest Station
• Establish additional temporary work areas within 13-15 Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road and 23 Tame Street.

When we’ll work

From Monday 13 May through to late August 2024, we’ll work:

• Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm
• Saturdays, 7am to 1pm, as required

Night works

• From 6pm to 6am each night from Wednesday 22 May to Friday 24 May, we’ll work at night along Old Calder Highway to install concrete barriers next to the road between the northern entrance to Punjel Drive to opposite Stan Payne Reserve.
• These works are scheduled at night to minimise impacts to traffic.
• We’ll make every effort to complete works on schedule, however these works are weather dependent and dates are subject to change.

What to expect

During daytime works, you may notice low 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, Tame Street, School Lane, and in the Diggers Rest Station car park.

When we work at night in late May, additional lighting will be in place and will be directed away from residential properties where possible. Low levels of noise are expected during this time.

Changes to the way you travel

For your safety, please follow signage and traffic management in place. Please see the works map below for more information about the following travel changes.

Old Calder Highway and Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road

• Intermittent and temporary lane closures.
• Two way traffic maintained at all times.

• Speed limit reduced to 40km/h for community and worker safety.

Old Calder Highway

• Single lane closures on Old Calder Highway.
• Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times.

Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road footpath

• A small section of the northern footpath on Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road (just east of Pepper Close) will be closed.
• The pedestrian crossing will be relocated approximately 50m to the west until the project is finished.
• Signage will be in place to safely guide pedestrians.

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.