29 April 2025

We’re removing the Maddox Road and Champion Road level crossings in Newport to improve safety and create more reliable travel times.

We're building rail bridges over Maddox Road and closing Champion Road at the rail line.

To keep locals moving, we’re extending Akuna Drive to connect Champion Road to Maddox Road. This new road will open before Champion Road is closed in 2026. We’ll also build a new pedestrian and cycling bridge over the rail line at Champion Road.

What we’re doing

Works throughout May will include:

  • Preparing the ground to support the construction and placement of temporary site sheds and machinery
  • Installing new drainage for construction of the new Akuna Drive link road
  • Starting underground service relocation works around Launceston Street and Maddox Road
  • Working on the combined services route, which powers trains and rail infrastructure
  • Removal of waste material within the works area. This is not uncommon, and we’ll remove waste material in line with strict health and safety guidelines
  • Disruptions on Maddox Road for utility works and temporary traffic light installation – see table below.

Tree and vegetation removal

  • To enable us to build new infrastructure, tree and vegetation removal is required on Akuna Drive, Launceston Street, Maddox Road, Park Crescent, Market Street (between Champion Road and Challis Street) and Kororoit Creek Road.
  • For more information see our Managing the Environment fact sheet.

Out of hours works

  • From 7pm, Saturday 10 May until 5am, Sunday 11 May we'll work during the day and night to complete underground service investigation works on Kororoit Creek Road, near the intersection of Maddox Road. Traffic management will be in place to assist drivers moving through the area.
  • We’ll also work 24/7 from 8.30pm on Friday 23 May until late on Sunday 25 May in the rail corridor and the Maddox Road level crossing will be closed. During this time, buses will replace trains on the Werribee Line.

What to expect

  • Works Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm and Saturdays 7am to 3pm.
  • Reduced speed limits and traffic management will be in place around our work area.
  • Local footpath closures may be implemented at times, please follow directional signage.
  • On-street parking on local roads may be temporarily impacted at times.
  • Increase in construction vehicles, delivery trucks and machinery moving around the area, including Akuna Drive and Park Cresent as they enter and exit from our work sites.
  • Increase in construction noise, vibration and dust.

Changes to the way you travel

Maddox Road

  • Closed between Railway Parade and Macaulay Street for one night on Thursday 22 May, from Friday 23 May to Sunday 25 May and one night in early June with the date to be advised closer to the time.
  • Northbound lane closed near the level crossing on Friday 23 May until 8.30pm and from Monday 26 May until mid-June.

Werribee Line

  • Buses replace trains on the Werribee Line between Newport and Werribee from 9pm, Friday 23 May to last service Sunday 25 May.

We’ll make every effort to complete works on schedule, however dates are subject to change. Please monitor traffic signage in the area for updates.

Please view the way finding maps below and allow extra time to travel through the area. We thank you for your patience.

Maddox Road – northbound lane closure detour map
(Starting from Monday 26 May for 4 weeks)Maddox Road – northbound lane closure detour map

Maddox Road closure detour map
Maddox Road closure detour map

More information