29 August 2025

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’ll also build a new pedestrian and cycling bridge over the rail line at Champion Road.

What we’re doing

In September, we’re getting ready to build the new rail bridges and walking and cycling bridge and path. We’ll also continue to build the new link road between Akuna Drive and Maddox Road.

Maddox Road works

We’ll temporarily close the bicycle lane on Maddox Road between Railway Parade and Macaulay Street from Thursday 28 August to Monday 8 September to safely carry out piling works for the passenger rail bridges. During this time bike riders will need to use the regular traffic lanes.

Please be aware, as work continues to ramp up, there will be an increase in construction traffic, which means there will no longer be any informal pedestrian access over the rail line at Maddox Road. For your safety, please use designated pedestrian routes and follow detour directions which are in place to keep the community and our workers safe.

Pedestrian access across the rail line is available at Champion Road and at Newport Station.

We’ll also begin dismantling 3 warehouses on Maddox Road for the new Akuna link, including strengthening and protection works to adjacent buildings.

Underground service relocation works

To make way for the new link road, we’ll be relocating underground power and telecommunication services along Maddox Road, Kororoit Creek Road, Launceston Street and surrounding roads.

We’re working closely with service providers, who are responsible for advising customers directly if services or access may be affected. We’ll aim to supplement service provider notifications to keep you informed about what to expect during these works.

Night works in the rail corridor

We’ll work from 9.30pm to 3.30am each night within the rail corridor between Maddox Road and Champion Road on:

  • Tuesday 16 September
  • Wednesday 17 September
  • Monday 22 September
  • Tuesday 23 September

At times, there’ll also be overnight deliveries of oversized machinery and materials. We’ll be in touch with directly impacted residents and traders about what this means for you.

Other works in the area

  • Site access and pipeline bridge construction on Churchill Street
  • Ongoing vegetation removal in the area
  • Ongoing driveway and pavement works on Launceston Street
  • Waste material removal, including asbestos, in line with strict health and safety guidelines
  • Site investigations on Park Crescent.

What to expect

  • General working hours are 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 in place at times, please follow directional signage.
  • Some 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, Launceston Street and Park Cresent as they enter and exit from our work sites.
  • During some activities you may notice an increase in construction noise, vibration and dust.

Changes to the way you travel

Maddox Road

  • Bicycle lane closed between Railway Parade and Macaulay Street from Thursday 28 August to Monday 8 September

The project is located near critical utilities and pipelines; we are working closely with all operators to ensure our construction activities are completed safely.

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 and email updates to stay informed.

More information