New road bridge open 9 December

We’re removing the level crossing at Old Geelong Road in Hoppers Crossing as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to remove 85 dangerous and congested level crossings by 2025.

The dangerous level crossing at Old Geelong Road will be removed months ahead of schedule, with the new road bridge set to open on Thursday 9 December 2021.

From Thursday 9 December, motorists can safely travel over the rail line using the new bridge, which directly connects Princes Highway to Old Geelong Road.

The new bridge will improve safety, provide more reliable travel times and reduce congestion at this key connection point in Hoppers Crossing.

We've made lots of progress in the last few months, installing bridge beams, preparing retaining walls and building the structure of the new pedestrian and cyclist overpass at Hoppers Crossing Station.

You may notice the boom gates are still in place when the level crossing closes. To minimise disruption to commuters, we'll remove them at a later date when there are other works on the rail line.

Works will continue through to 2022 on the new overpass at Hoppers Crossing Station, which will provide a safe connection over the rail line for pedestrians, cyclists and commuters.

Old Geelong Road is one of four level crossing removal projects currently in major construction in Melbourne’s west. Others are Fitzgerald Road in Ardeer, Robinsons Road in Deer Park and Ferguson Street in Williamstown.

How we've shaped the new road bridge

We've been busy putting the 1.2km road bridge together over the Werribee line.

From May to mid June, we installed 78 giant concrete bridge beams, weighing a total of nearly 4000 tonnes, to support the bridge.

In early June, we lifted three huge concrete bridge pieces, or crossheads, into place. Each crosshead helps support 14 beams as an integral part of the bridge deck.

The three crossheads made a 300km journey from the manufacturer in Gippsland to Hoppers Crossing.

The largest piece weighed in at 173 tonnes, about the same as two blue whales.

Since then, we have continued to shape the bridge by pouring concrete and installing retaining wall panels, and have begun to lay 16,000 tonnes of asphalt for the new road.

Travel changes

With the Old Geelong Road level crossing gone on Thursday 9 December, you'll use the new road bridge to travel over the rail line.

• You can get to Old Geelong Road using new exits on Princes Highway and Princes Freeway.

To travel to Princes Highway or Princes Freeway from north of the rail line, you'll turn south at a new intersection on Old Geelong Road.

• If you're walking or cycling, you'll continue to use the automatic gates near Hoppers Crossing Station until the new pedestrian and cyclist overpass opens next year.

Temporary travel changes will be in place while we finish upgrading nearby roads and intersections in 2022.

Lifting in the pedestrian and cyclist overpass

Since May, we've been building the new pedestrian and bike rider overpass at Hoppers Crossing Station, using cranes to lift in the key pieces.

Stairs

During a rail closure in June, we lifted in the first of three flights of stairs for the new overpass. In October, we lifted the northern set of stairs in, and we'll install the remaining southern flight in the coming month.

Lift shafts

In July and August, we installed all three lift shafts for the overpass, at the southern, central and northern entrances. The shafts will fit two oversized lifts each, and all six lifts will be connected to backup power in case of a power outage.

Bridge frame

During a rail closure in late July, we lifted in one massive steel frame that forms the main structure of the bridge. The frame is 50 metres long and was lifted in carefully across the rail corridor by a powerful 650 tonne crane.

Australian steel

All three lift shafts and the bridge frame were shipped to Hoppers Crossing from Tasmania and are made of 100% Australian steel. The bridge frame was delivered in four pieces, which we put together on site.

We’re committed to supporting local traders

We're committed to supporting local businesses by minimising construction impacts and by shopping and eating locally.

Junction Meats

Husband and wife team Troy Cornes and Tanya Currie have just celebrated the first anniversary of their butcher shop, Junction Meats, in Hoppers Junction.

A butcher for the past 35 years, Troy is also a long-time local resident who appreciates how friendly and loyal the Hoppers Crossing community is.

‘We took over the business late last year in the middle of the pandemic, and the local community has really supported us since we opened,’ Troy says.

‘Customers keep coming back to Junction Meats because they trust the quality of our meat, our packs are great value, and we’re a friendly and welcoming team.’

Troy and Tanya are looking forward to seeing the Old Geelong Road level crossing gone.

‘It’s just going to make the Hoppers Junction centre better because there’ll be more convenient and safer access, and it will be easier for people to get around,’ Troy says.

Pop in to Junction Meats at 21 Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing. They're open from 6am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.

Adding the finishing touches

In 2022, work will start work on a new landscaped plaza near the Hoppers Junction shopping precinct that will form an entrance to Hoppers Crossing Station. Together with a new overpass for pedestrians and cyclists, and a plaza to the south, locals will be able to enjoy upgraded community spaces in the area and safer travel across the rail line.

Australian first solar unit

The team at Old Geelong Road have rolled out a first-of-its kind mobile solar panel unit, designed in Australia for use at construction sites.

The unit is made up of two shipping containers with retractable solar panels, powering the site and exporting excess power. Unused power is fed back into the grid during the day, helping to reduce emissions for the community.

The system has saved 4.6 tonnes of carbon so far and is forecast to save over 116 tonnes of carbon per year. Once the project is complete, the units can be packed up and used at another construction site.

Project timeline

Mid 2020

• Early works

Early 2021

• Major construction started

Mid 2021

• Road bridge beams installed

December 2021

• New road bridge open
• Level crossing removed

2022

• Pedestrian and bike rider overpass completed
• Landscaping works completed

Please note the timeline above is subject to change.

Stay up to date

Sign up for email updates for the Old Geelong Road Level Crossing Removal Project. If you’d like to receive disruptions alerts, text 'Old Geelong' to 0427 840 967.

For more information, call us on 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.