Bedford Road has reopened to traffic and trains are running through the new rail trench, with the dangerous and congested Bedford Road level crossing gone for good.
The removal marks an impressive milestone – 75 level crossings now gone for good, a year ahead of schedule.
Works to build the new 380m rail trench under Bedford Road were originally scheduled to finish by April, but the construction blitz, comprising a team of more than 200 workers working 24/7 since late January, was completed a week early, ahead of the busy Easter holidays.
Getting rid of the crossing improves safety for all road and rail users and ends congestion headaches for the 13,500 vehicles that used the crossing every day.
With the crossing gone for good, the Belgrave Line is now level crossing free from Ferntree Gully to the city.
Crews will now start landscaping the new green community space and building a shared use path to connect the Heathmont Rail Trail to Bedford Park.
The removal of the nearby Dublin Road level crossing later this year will make Ringwood boom gate free and contribute to making the Lilydale Line level crossing free in 2024, a year ahead of schedule.
