Final designs released for Newport

We’re removing the Maddox Road and Champion Road level crossings to make Newport level crossing free in 2026 – improving safety and creating more reliable travel times.

The final designs have been released, providing more detail on the new pedestrian and cycling bridge that will be built over the rail line at Champion Road. The designs showcase the community selected themes, including Newport's industrial heritage and the unique natural environment along the Hobsons Bay coast. These themes will be represented at the bridge resting stops as well as improved safety features - reflecting what we heard during consultation. The final designs also include new images of the pedestrian and cycling path on Railway Parade and the new safer connection to the existing cycling path on Maddox Road.

By building new rail bridges over Maddox Road, we can get rid of the dangerous boom gates, making journeys safer and more reliable for drivers. The new road, linking Maddox Road to Champion Road, as well as the new pedestrian and cycling bridge over the rail line at Champion Road, will keep drivers moving and locals connected.

While we get set to build the new rail bridges, there’ll be some changes to how you travel through the area.

From November, the Werribee Line will operate on a single track between Newport and Laverton stations, keeping rail passengers moving on the train and minimising the need for rail replacement buses and passenger disruption during construction.

We're getting rid of 5 level crossings in Melbourne's inner west – in Newport, Altona, Spotswood and Yarraville – boosting safety and easing congestion.

Completing these works brings us one step closer to making the Werribee Line boom gate free by 2030.

Why these level crossings need to go

• Up to 48 trains pass through the level crossings during the morning peak
• Boom gates down for around 50 minutes of the morning peak
• More trains will run on the busy Werribee Line thanks to the Metro Tunnel, with additional services to run during peak hour in the morning and evening
• Improved safety for drivers, bike riders and pedestrians

Final designs

The final designs showcase the colours, textures, and added safety features of the new rail bridges, as well as the new pedestrian and cycling bridge at Champion Road.

Rail bridges

The retaining walls on the rail bridge celebrate the nearby foreshore and wetlands, with patterns reflecting the meandering shape of the coastline, and colours and textures inspired by the Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve. The green screening on the rail bridges over Maddox Road mirrors the soft green of the coastal saltbush found along the local foreshore.

Pedestrian and cycling bridge

This natural environment theme continues into the new pedestrian and cycling bridge. Based on community feedback, the bridge’s resting points will feature themes of coastal mangroves from the nearby Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve, alongside imagery of the Newport Railway Workshops—paying tribute to both the area's natural beauty and industrial heritage.

You told us that safety and accessibility are important. In response, we’re enhancing lighting across the new pedestrian and cycling bridge. Strip lighting features across the bridge and the approaches, increasing lighting at the stairs and ramps.

New Akuna Drive link road

The new Akuna Drive link road connecting Champion Road to Maddox Road will service local businesses and the community. We will deliver new car parking on both sides of the new link road, which will contribute to more overall car parking in the local area.

New car parking

To make way for the new link road, we’re reconfiguring car parking on Champion Road, Maddox Road, Akuna Drive, and Launceston Street. While some existing car parking will change, we’ll provide an overall increase in parking in the local area, including around 80 new car spaces on the link road, and 50 new car spaces on Park Crescent.

Kororoit Creek intersection upgrade

In addition to removing the boom gates at Maddox Road and building a new road connecting Maddox Road to Champion Road, we’re also improving driver journeys by upgrading the intersection of Maddox and Kororoit Creek roads by:

• extending the dedicated right-turn lane for smoother traffic flow
• adjusting traffic signals to allow more drivers through the intersection
• installing a dedicated U-turn to give drivers safe access without blocking traffic.

Landscaping

All landscaping considers the unique characteristics of Hobsons Bay with species specifically chosen to thrive in local conditions, restore native grasslands and support biodiversity.

As part of the project, we will plant 145 native trees and up to 30,000 plants, shrubs and grasses to help green the area.

Better walking and cycling connections

We are building a new pedestrian and cycling path along Railway Parade, creating a safer link for people accessing the new pedestrian and cycling bridge at Champion Road. This will provide the missing link, connecting Newport Station through to the Jawbone Reserve and Altona.

Safety elements include:

• a dedicated right turn lane from Maddox Road into Railway Parade for cyclists
• a pram ramp to connect the new pedestrian and cycling path to the existing footpath and cycling lanes at the intersection of Maddox Road to enable seamless connection to on-road cycle lanes.

We’ll continue to work with Council for potential enhancements within the project area, with more information to be available next year.

We’re also adding a new pedestrian path through Quarry Reserve between Akuna Drive and Park Crescent. The path will link directly to 50 new car spaces on Park Crescent, with new lighting along the path and in the car parking area.

New link road works moving ahead

The new link road is taking shape, with construction moving ahead to extend Akuna Drive, connecting Maddox Road to Champion Road.

Our crews are preparing Launceston Street, Maddox Road and Akuna Drive to connect to the new link road, with the new road opening before Champion Road closes at the rail line in 2026.

Works are on, traders are open

It's important to support local traders, and that's why we encourage the community and our workforce to shop locally as much as possible.

Meet your local art store

Atelier Art Supplies is a local art supply shop co-owned by Brian Davies and Trudi Harley.

Brian and Trudi’s vibrant shop has been encouraging locals to embrace their creativity for the past 11 years. With Atelier being synonymous with workshop and studio, the store aims to be a one-stop shop for all the materials an artist may need.

Having dreamt of having their own art supply store close to home, they chose to open their doors in the community-oriented Williamstown North. Locals for 25 years, Brian and Trudi love that Atelier has now become a part of the close-knit community.

Next time you’re feeling creative, be sure to visit Atelier Art Supplies at Unit 8/199 Champion Road, Williamstown North.

You can also browse Atelier Art supplies online or visit their Instagram.

Keeping the Werribee Line moving during major works

We’ll keep Werribee Line passengers moving during major construction by running trains on a single track between Newport and Laverton stations.

This is called single line running and is when trains run in both directions on a single track. Running the trains in this way ensures passenger services on the busy Werribee Line can continue to operate during major works, reducing the need for bus replacement services.

Changes to the way you travel

From Monday 17 November 2025 to late April 2026, trains will operate on a single line between Newport and Laverton stations.

While these changes are in place, you can expect some timetable changes on the Werribee and Williamstown lines. Trains on the Williamstown Line may be busier than usual during peak times. Extra services will operate on the Williamstown Line during morning peak on weekdays to cater for additional demand.

Stay up to date on travel changes by visiting transport.vic.gov. au/werribee, or via passenger information displays at your station.

To prepare for single line running, buses will replace trains on sections of the Werribee and Williamstown lines from 8.30pm Thursday 13 November to last service Sunday 16 November.

Altona Loop passengers

During single line running, Werribee bound services will operate via the Altona Loop, with city bound services travelling express from Laverton Station to Newport Station.

Shuttle buses will transport passengers travelling to the city from Seaholme, Altona and Westona stations to Newport Station. From there, passengers will continue their journey to the city by train. Thank you for your patience during these works.

To learn more about how we build rail bridges, construction staging on the project and single line running, read our latest fact sheets.

Project timeline

Late 2022

• Project announced

2023

• Vision and values engagement
• Early site investigations and planning

Early 2024

• Planning consultation and community surveys
• Stakeholder Liaison Group established
• Continue site investigations and planning

Late 2024

• Designs released
• Early works begin

Early 2025

• Updated designs released

Late 2025

• Major works begin
• Final designs release

2026

• New link road opens
• Champion Road level crossing closed
• Maddox Road level crossing removed
• Newport level crossing free

*Timeline subject to change.