Designs have been released for a new pedestrian underpass at Cave Hill Road, Lilydale, to provide a safe connection across the rail line to Lilydale High School and nearby homes and businesses.
Removing this dangerous level crossing will help make the Lilydale Line boom-gate free in 2025, making train journeys faster and local roads safer.
The new 5-metre wide underpass, with stairs and ramps, and lighting at night, will also connect to future walking and cycling paths as part of development in the area. This includes connections to the south through the planned Kinley Estate and north, to the new Lilydale Station and Warburton Rail Trail.
Unlike other design options considered, this solution maintains access for properties on Cave Hill Road and Taylor Street. Access will also be maintained to Lilydale High School car parks and bus stops, local sports fields, and businesses on Melba Avenue.
Early works will start in 2023 and in 2025, the level crossing will be gone, and the Lilydale Line will be level crossing-free.
Lilydale and Belgrave line removals pave the way for more services
The Cave Hill Road level crossing closure was one of 4 additional projects on the Lilydale and Belgrave lines announced by the Victorian Government in 2021, which also included Coolstore Road in Croydon, Dublin Road in Ringwood East and Bedford Road in Ringwood.
In total, 12 level crossings will be removed on the Lilydale and Belgrave lines, with 6 already gone for good and 2 underway at Union Road, Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert.
This will make the Lilydale Line level crossing free in 2025 and the Belgrave Line level crossing free between Ferntree Gully and the city.
Across the state, 85 level crossings will be removed by 2025, with 67 already gone for good, improving safety and easing congestion in Melbourne's suburbs.
Another 8 level crossing removals on the Upfield Line have recently been added, and these will be gone by 2027.