We're removing the level crossings at Maddox Road and Champion Road in Newport as part of the Victorian Government's commitment to make the Werribee Line level crossing free by 2030.

The Maddox Road level crossing will be removed by building passenger and freight rail bridges over the road. The rail bridges will start to rise near Blenheim Road and return to ground near Challis Street.

We’ll close Champion Road at the level crossing. A new link road, connecting Maddox Road to Champion Road via Akuna Drive, will open before the Champion Road level crossing is closed in 2026.

While assessing options to remove the level crossings in Newport, we considered several factors, including network improvements, future transport planning and impacts to local homes and businesses.

Due to various constraints, the most feasible option to remove the level crossings at Newport is to build rail bridges over Maddox Road and close Champion Road at the level crossing. Read our fact sheet to learn more.

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
• Improved safety for drivers, bike riders and pedestrians

Hey Newport, did you know...

• We've removed 86 level crossings so far! Across the rail network, this has resulted in:
  • 80% drop in the number of train and driver collisions and near misses since 2018
  • 55 hours of boom gate down time saved every weekday morning
• When the Metro Tunnel opens later this year there’ll be 2 additional trains per hour on the Werribee Line in the morning and afternoon. This will result in boom gates being down for more than 50 minutes during peak time. Once we remove the level crossings at Maddox and Champion roads in 2026, we’ll have 3 more to go to make the Werribee Line boom gate free by 2030.
• As part of the planning for our projects, we undertake detailed traffic modelling and analysis. Removing boom gates improves safety and traffic flow to create more reliable journeys.
• Before Champion Road closes in 2026, the new Akuna Drive link road will open to traffic, connecting Maddox Road to Champion Road.
• All new infrastructure built by our projects is designed to be accessible for all users.
• We’re building pedestrian and cycling paths to connect Champion Road to Maddox Road and a pedestrian and cycling bridge over the rail line at Champion Road. The new pedestrian and cycling bridge will be fully accessible and wide enough to cater for large cargo bikes, prams and mobility scooters. Resting points with seating will be located on each side of the bridge.
• Landscaping is a key part of every level crossing removal project. We choose trees, shrubs and grasses that enhance biodiversity and support local habitat for wildlife.
• At Newport, we will install up to 20 nest boxes to provide comfortable nesting opportunities for native birds and wildlife away from construction activities.
• We’ll also plant around 145 large trees, over 5000 large plants and 30,000 shrubs and grasses across the project and within the local area.
• We work closely with local businesses and have a range of initiatives to support them through construction.
• Newport is open for business! We encourage the community and our workforce to choose local as much as possible.
• Many of our projects are located near critical utilities and pipelines. We work closely with all operators to ensure our construction activities are completed safely.
• Several critical services run through the Champion Road level crossing site, including approximately 10 pipelines, such as the Melbourne Airport fuel line. Our construction activities near the pipelines are assessed by independent specialist technical advisors. We also have inspectors present to ensure we are following procedures and keeping outside required clearances.