First look at the new Maidstone Street road bridge

The new Maidstone Street road bridge looking towards Kororoit Creek Road. Artist impression only, subject to change.

We’re removing the dangerous and congested level crossing at Maidstone Street, Altona and building a new road bridge over the railway line, avoiding impacts to important utilities, protected grasslands, and creating better connections for this busy industrial area.

The new road bridge design means we can get rid of the crossing sooner and helps minimise traffic disruptions during construction. The bridge will also improve safety and reduce congestion.

Early concept designs have been released and we’re asking the community for their feedback to help shape the look and feel of the new road bridge.

Construction will start in 2025 and the Maidstone Street level crossing will be gone for good in 2027.

We're making the Werribee Line level crossing free by 2030, changing how locals live, work and travel. With no level crossings on the train line, journeys will be faster and local roads safer.

Community members can provide feedback on the project via the formal planning consultation process and design feedback survey. Consultation is open on Engage Victoria until Sunday 11 August 2024.

Why these level crossings need to go

• 14,400 vehicles travel through the level crossing each day
• 48 trains during the morning peak (7am – 9am)
• Boom gates are down for up to 21% of the morning peak (7am – 9am)
• Werribee Line level crossing free by 2030

Why a road bridge is the best solution

A road bridge allows us to avoid important utilities and pipelines in the rail corridor and supports future rail development. It also helps keep rail freight moving now and into the future.

Due to the areas long industrial history, the location of the level crossing is home to numerous critical underground services, which makes lowering the road or rail not feasible at this site.

A road bridge also allows us to reduce impacts on the nearby protected Altona Grasslands.

Creating better connections

As part of this project, we’re building a new pedestrian path over the bridge. The path will be separated from the road, creating safer connections in the area.

With the boom gates gone, traffic will be able to move safely through the area, with less delays to more than 14,000 drivers each day at this key freight route.

We want to hear from you

Share your ideas to help refine the look and feel of the new road bridge and landscaping preferences.

Provide your feedback through the design survey, which you can complete online by visiting Engage Victoria.

If you would like a hard copy survey sent to you via mail, please contact us on 1800 105 105 or email us at contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Get involved

Planning approval

Planning approval for this project will proceed under Clause 52.03 – Level Crossing Removal Project of the Hobsons Bay Planning Scheme.

We are seeking community feedback on a range of planning matters, including:

• project boundary
• environmental impacts
• native vegetation
• construction-related impacts
• amenity impacts
• heritage.

Consultation is now open, providing you with an opportunity to formally submit your feedback.

Planning submissions can be made online at Engage Victoria.

If you would like a hard copy submission form sent to you via mail, please contact us on 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Planning submissions can be made until 11.59pm, Sunday 11 August 2024.

All feedback received will be included in a consultation summary report, which will inform the Minister for Planning’s assessment of the project.

Chat with the project team

Join us at an in-person community information session or webinar to find out more about the project.

Community sessions

Webinar

• 6.30pm – 7.30pm, Wednesday 17 July
• Register online at TryBooking.

In-person pop up

• 12pm – 1pm, Thursday 25 July at Climb West.

In-person information session

• 11am – 2pm, Saturday 3 August
• Register online at TryBooking.

Supporting local businesses

While the project team has worked to minimise the impact of works in the local area on residents and businesses, however, some partial acquisition of commercial land will be required. The project team is working directly with affected businesses and landowners to assist them through this process.

We have also been working with local businesses since 2023 to better understand their operations and how we can help minimise disruptions during construction.

We encourage businesses who have not already done so to complete our business survey. This information helps us understand local business needs, which informs design development. If you have not completed a survey but would like a copy, please get in touch with us on 1800 105 105 or email us at contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Project timeline

2022

• Project announced

2023

• Site investigations

2024

• Concept designs and community consultation
• Site investigations

2025

• Final designs released
• Early construction starts

2026

• Major construction starts

2027

• Level crossing removed

* Timeline subject to change.

Sign up to stay up to date

As the project progresses, we’ll share more information via email updates, social media, website updates and hard copy mail outs.

• Contact us on 1800 105 105 or email us at contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.
• Visit our Facebook page.
• Subscribe for email updates.
• Keep up to date with the latest project news on the Maidstone Street, Altona project page.