The new Hopkins Road bridge is fast taking shape, with the first beams now lifted into place.
Two cranes weighing up to 750 tonnes will be used to lift a total of 27 concrete beams for the new Hopkins Road bridge.
The beams, each weighing up to 59 tonnes, are being lifted into place in 3 sections, with the first span of the bridge now complete. Each span is made up of 9 bridge beams, with the remaining 18 bridge beams to be lifted in over the coming days.
The central span of the new bridge over the rail line will take place this weekend, while trains aren’t running on the line.
Coaches and buses will replace trains on the Ballarat Line between Bacchus Marsh and Southern Cross stations on Saturday 30 August and Sunday 31 August, with passengers advised to allow extra travel time. To plan ahead, visit the Transport Victoria website.
The beam lift for the final bridge span is set to be completed in the coming week.
Once the final beams are in place, crews will then pour 310,000 litres of concrete to form the new bridge deck.
Crews will also install concrete barriers on the embankments and will continue positioning 8 L-shaped panels to support the new bridge.
Over the coming months, construction will begin on the shared use path and works on the bridge approach will continue, including moving an additional 49,000 tonnes of soil to complete the road bridge embankments.
The Hopkins Road level crossing will be gone for good and the new road bridge will open in 2026.
In total, 4 dangerous and congested level crossings will be gone for good in Melbourne’s west, including Coburns, Exford and Ferris roads in Melton, improving safety and reducing congestion.
A new modern and accessible Melton Station will also open to passengers in 2026 – 2 years ahead of schedule.
