Calder Park locals had the chance to meet their new neighbours in late May, with the Calder Park Drive level crossing removal team running 2 community sessions at Watergardens Shopping Centre.
Getting rid of the level crossing at Calder Park Drive, Calder Park will improve traffic flow, meaning the nearby level crossing at Holden Road can be closed permanently, making journeys faster and local roads safer.
These sessions supported the announcement of final designs and provided the community with an update on what to expect as construction starts on the project.
The level crossing at Calder Park Drive is one of 8 being removed to make the Sunbury Line level crossing free by 2026. This will help improve safety, reduce congestion and run more trains, more often.
The community showed up in force, with the 2 sessions engaging over 300 residents. The sessions included kids play equipment, a spin the wheel for free giveaways, the Calder Park Drive video flythrough, artists impressions, community updates with more information and the project team on hand to answer questions.
The new designs were met with positive feedback, with locals praising the impact that removing the level crossing will have on improving traffic flow and busting congestion in the area. The level crossings have been a source of frustration with 10,000 vehicles traveling through each day and the boom gates down for up to 20% of the morning peak.
In response to community feedback, the final designs feature natural landscaping and native vegetation. The project will plant more than 100,000 mostly native and indigenous plants, trees and grasses at Calder Park Drive and Holden Road to reflect the local landscape.
Early works at Calder Park Drive will kick off soon with major works starting by the end of 2023. The new road bridge over the Sunbury Line will be open, and the level crossing at Holden Road will be closed by 2025, improving safety and allowing more trains to run on the Sunbury Line.
