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.

We’ll close Watsons Road at the level crossing from 7am on Tuesday 19 November 2024 until late 2025 to safely remove the level crossing and build the new road bridge. Detours will be in place during this time, see below for details.

Throughout October and November, we’ll undertake preparation works at the Watsons Road level crossing removal site to establish site offices and works areas, install signage and remove vegetation.

What we’re doing

We’ll work during regular construction hours from Monday to Friday, between 7am and 6pm and on Saturdays, between 7am and 1pm to:

• Install site fencing, concrete barriers and traffic management signage
• Continue to recover cultural heritage artefacts in the works areas
• Establish site offices and work areas on both sides of the rail line, at 10 Buckley Road and 25 Watsons Road
• Continue to establish additional temporary work areas at 24, 30, 35 and 45 Watsons Road
• Remove trees and vegetation near Watsons Road
• Continue underground utility relocations
• Build crushed rock areas for large machinery
• Build temporary residential access and haul roads
• Begin excavation works for the new road bridge and retained earth wall foundations.

What to expect

During these works, you may notice low levels of noise, dust and vibration. You may also notice construction vehicles and trucks on local roads including Watsons Road, Old Vineyard Road, Bulla-Diggers Rest Road and Crinnion Road.

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

Changes to the way you travel

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

Watsons Road (near the level crossing)

Intermittent and temporary lane closures and speed reduction to 40 km/h until late November.

• Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times.

Watsons Road at the level crossing

• Detour via Watsons Road, Crinnion Road, Bulla-Diggers Rest Road, Calder Freeway and Vineyard Road
• Detour via Watsons Road, Old Vineyard Road, Vineyard Road, Calder Freeway, Bulla-Diggers Rest Road and Crinnion Road.

Works area map

Detour 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.