6 March 2026

We’re removing the Maddox Road and Champion Road level crossings, Newport to improve safety, create more reliable travel times and prepare for more trains, more often.

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. The new road will open before Champion Road closes in 2026. We are also building a new pedestrian and cycling bridge over the rail line at Champion Road.

What we’re doing

The new Akuna Drive link road connecting Champion Road and Maddox Road will open in early April 2026. At the same time, 50 new car parking spaces will open on Park Crescent to support businesses and the local community.

In March and April, we’ll also continue with major construction works. During this time, we’ll:

  • Continue to build the new rail bridges and pedestrian and cycling bridge, including embankment construction.
  • Finish works, including fencing, landscaping and street lighting for the new Akuna Drive link road and at the Maddox Road and Launceston Street intersections.
  • Construct hardstands in the rail corridor between Berty Street and Rosshire Road to support the weight of large machinery and equipment.
  • Relocate rail assets and drainage infrastructure within the rail corridor.
  • Complete asphalt and line marking for 50 new car spaces at Park Crescent, and roadside remediation works.
  • Start footpath upgrade works on a section of Akuna Drive.
  • Begin works on the Market Street Reserve walking and cycling path
  • Remove minor vegetation and waste material where required, in line with strict health and safety guidelines.

Maddox Road closures

24-hour construction blitz

In April, we’ll work 24 hours from Thursday 9 April to Saturday 25 April. During this time, we’ll:

  • Finish building the two new passenger rail bridges
  • Lift the assembled pedestrian and cycling bridge truss structure into place
  • Close Champion Road for cul-de-sac construction
  • Open the new pedestrian and cycling bridge in mid-April.

After the ANZAC Day weekend, we’ll continue piling works along the rail corridor for the new freight rail bridge. Two piling rigs will work day and night, Monday to Saturday.

Major road impacts

  • Maddox Road will be closed from 7pm, Thursday 9 April to 3am, Saturday 25 April.
  • Champion Road will close permanently over the rail line from 7pm, Friday 10 April.

While both roads are closed and before the pedestrian and cycling bridge opens, a shuttle bus will transport people to either side of Champion Road. For more information, please see page 4.

The new Akuna Link Road will open in early April.

Out of hours works

Throughout March and April, we will be working around the clock across the project area to carry out construction, drainage, rail infrastructure, and embankment works. We’ll be in touch with directly impacted residents and traders about what this means for them.

Changes to the way you travel

Road

Challis Street

  • Increase in construction traffic between Jubilee Street and Railway Parade until late 2026.

Champion Road

  • Closed permanently over the rail line from 7pm, Friday 10 April.
  • Changed traffic conditions and access to 199 Champion Road from Friday 10 April to mid 2026.

Akuna Drive

  • Akuna Drive link road open from early April. Please follow all new line marking and signage when travelling through the area.

Maddox Road

  • Closed between Railway Parade and Macaulay Street 24/7 from 7pm, Thursday 9 to 3am, Saturday 25 April . Local detour in place. See map below.

Railway Parade

  • Westbound lane closure 24/7 from Friday 10 April to Satruday 25 April.
  • Intermittent lane closures and traffic impacts until late 2026.

Rosshire Road

  • Road closed between Ross Road car park and 35 Rosshire Road for 3 days in March. Property access maintained under traffic management.

Pedestrian

Champion Road

  • No pedestrian access over the rail corridor from Friday 10 April to mid April. Shuttle bus in place.

Parking

Champion Road

  • No parking between rail corridor and 100 Champion Road on the eastern side from Friday 10 April to mid 2026.
  • Changes to on-street parking from early April. Please check local signage for new parking arrangements.

Railway Parade

  • No on-street parking between Maddox Road and Challis Street, 24/7 from Friday 10 April to Saturday 25 April.
  • No westbound informal parking between Maddox Road and Challis Street until late 2026.

Maddox Road, Launceston Street and Akuna Drive

  • Changes to on-street parking along from early April. Please check local signage for new parking arrangements.

Rail

Werribee Line

  • Buses replace trains between Newport and Werribee from 8.30pm, Friday 10 April to 3am, Saturday 25 April.
  • Temporary service changes until late April 2026. Check Transport Victoria for up-to-date information.

We’ll make every effort to complete works on schedule. However, dates may change due to weather and other factors outside our control. Please monitor traffic signage in the area for updates. Sign up for SMS alterts, text NEWPORT to 0429 839 892 and subscribe to email updates to stay informed.

What to expect

  • General working hours of Monday to Saturdays, 7am to 6pm
  • At times throughout March, works will be undertaken outside general working hours to reduce disruptions to roads and businesses
  • Reduced speed limits and traffic management
  • Temporary impacts to footpaths and on-street parking
  • An increase in construction noise, vibration and dust.

Road closure detour map

Champion Road and Maddox Road Newport Road closure detour map

Shuttle bus information

From Friday 10 April, pedestrian access across the rail line at Champion Road will be temporarily closed while we lift the structure of the new pedestrian and cycling bridge into place and prepare it for opening.

During this time, we will provide a shuttle bus to transport locals safely from the north and south side of the rail line at Champion Road as the closest pedestrian crossing is at Newport Station – approximately a 17-minute walk.

Our shuttle bus will safely keep pedestrians and locals moving around the area while we complete these works.

More information including the bus route and timetable will be shared closer to the date.

More information