Early works underway on Bell to Moreland

The contract has been awarded and early works will now ramp up in preparation for major construction on the Bell to Moreland Level Crossing Removal Project.

The level crossings at Bell Street, Munro Street, Reynard Street and Moreland Road will be gone in late 2020 and the open space ready for locals to enjoy in 2021.

The project will deliver:

Less traffic congestion

A new 2.5 kilometre rail bridge will replace the 4 dangerous level crossings between Bell Street, Coburg and Moreland Road, Brunswick and reduce travel times for more than 40,000 drivers each weekday.

Two new stations

Modern stations at Coburg and Moreland with more accessible facilities, better transport connections and a total of 132 new bike parking spaces.

Better public transport

Removing these 4 level crossings will make it possible to run more trains more often on the Upfield Line once the Metro Tunnel is complete.

Improvements to the Upfield Bike Path

Separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists with synchronised pedestrian and traffic lights to improve flow along the rail corridor.

New open space and landscaping

Almost 2 MCG’s worth of open space will be created under the rail bridge, with 3 times more trees, and new recreational facilities at the Moreland Station reserve.

Moving utility services

Over the coming months, utility companies will relocate services in the area, including electricity and telecommunications infrastructure.

This is to ensure there is no conflict with the new elevated rail line or station buildings, and will involve moving some services underground.

There will be some minor changes to the way you travel around the area, including road and lane closures, changes to parking, and pedestrian and cycling detours while these works take place.

Access to homes and businesses will be maintained at all times.

We will notify properties in the area ahead of these works and we'll be out talking to affected residents and traders.

Managing construction impacts

In the second half of 2020, more than 1000 people will work around the clock in a 3 month construction blitz to remove the 4 level crossings and build the new stations.

Our priority is to manage and mitigate the impact of construction works on the local community.

We have management plans to help mitigate the effects of:

• noise and vibration
• bright lights during night works
• dust and mud
• traffic congestion.

Impacts vary throughout construction with noise and vibration often being among the top concerns of the community.

Some works can cause noticeable levels of ground vibration, and while they are unlikely to cause any damage, we offer property condition surveys to the homes and businesses near our works. This helps us understand the condition of properties before we start major construction.

We have sent letters to eligible properties with more detailed information about the property condition surveys.

To minimise noise impacts we try to limit out-of-hours works, but there are times when they are necessary. This project will involve a significant amount of construction work in the rail corridor itself, which can't be done while the trains are running. To minimise disruption to the rail network, most of this work will take place around the clock in a major construction blitz.

Our team will be out early next year talking to eligible residents about respite and relocation options for night works during major construction.

We will also provide you with regular updates throughout the project, and the project team will regularly visit and deliver letterbox notices to affected residents and traders ahead of construction activities.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the project, you can contact our 24-hour call centre on 1800 105 105 or via email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

You can also drop into our information hub at 153 Sydney Road, Coburg, and chat to our experts.

Project milestones

September 2019

• Community information session and open space consultation held
• Geotechnical investigations commenced
• Utility service identification works commenced

October 2019

• Utility service relocations commenced

November 2019 to January 2020

• Utility service relocations continuing
• Works to identify and relocate train power and signalling infrastructure underway

Thanks for your feedback

In September we asked you to share your thoughts on the new community open space being delivered as part of the Bell to Moreland project.

In addition to the comments and ideas you gave us during consultation in May and June, this feedback will help further refine the design of the open space.

Feedback highlighted key themes important to the community including:

• playgrounds
• landscaping, vegetation and trees
• walking and cycling
• community areas.

A summary of the feedback we received will be published soon and the updated designs will be available early next year.

We had a great response with:

• Close to 400 people came to speak to the project team
• Almost 600 comments left on maps of the project area
• 420 surveys completed

Talk to the project team at our new info hub

Got any questions about the Bell to Moreland project?

Our community info hub is now open. No appointment is needed, just come by during opening hours to learn more about the project.

Where: 153 Sydney Road, Coburg

When: Check our events page for our opening hours