The early designs have been released for the 2 road bridges that will make level crossings at the Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road in Diggers Rest a thing of the past.
Road bridges at each location that will take cars over the rail tracks and make the Sunbury Line level crossing free, allowing more trains to run more often when the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025.
Around 6300 vehicles use the level crossings daily, when up to 27 trains travel through them during the morning peak, creating around 36 minutes of boom gate down time.
At Old Calder Highway the road will be diverted west over the rail line south of Stan Payne Reserve, before turning north to connect with Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road, between Pepper Close and Welcome Road. The new road bridge will include a separated cycling path over the rail line.
At Watsons Road a new road bridge with a pedestrian path will be constructed. The 2 new bridges will open and the level crossings will be gone for good in 2025.
Work has been carried out to minimise the impact of the project on landowners, however some land acquisition near both level crossings is required. Impacted landowners have been contacted and will be supported throughout the process.
The Diggers Rest level crossing removals will build on the Victorian Government’s $27 billion investment in transport improvements in Melbourne’s west, including the Sunbury Line Upgrade, which was completed this year and included power upgrades, new track and more stabling to allow high capacity trains to run on the line.
Combined with the Metro Tunnel it will give Sunbury Line passengers direct access to 5 new underground stations, including connections to the City Loop and will allow trains to travel 100km from Sunbury to Cranbourne Pakenham without a single level crossing.
Have your say on aspects of the Diggers Rest designs by completing an online survey on Engage Victoria, or attending consultation sessions in the coming weeks.
