More level crossing removals across Melbourne are being fast-tracked, bringing safety and traffic improvements, as well as new stations and more open space to growing communities.
The removal of 110 level crossings by 2030 is a year ahead of schedule, with 70 already gone for good across Melbourne and the fast-tracking of these level crossing removals is set to deliver benefits to local communities, sooner.
It will also provide job opportunities for the thousands of workers across the Level Crossing Removal Project.
By 2030, the Frankston, Cranbourne, Pakenham, Lilydale, Sunbury and Werribee lines will all be level crossing free, changing the way people live, work and travel.
Making Melton level crossing free
In the west, delivering level crossing removals sooner will pave the way for more services and bigger trains to cater for booming population growth.
4 more level crossings will be gone for good, and a brand new, modern Melton Station open to passengers by 2026 – 2 years sooner than planned.
Removing the level crossings at Coburns Road, Exford Road and Ferris Road will make Melton boom gate-free and getting rid of the level crossing at Hopkins Road, Truganina will reduce congestion and improve access for trucks travelling around this industrial area.
Not having boom gates unclogs the roads for more than 73,000 vehicles travelling in these sections each day, with the boom gates down up to 28 minutes in the morning peak, when 16 trains go through.
The Melton Line will be transformed, and capacity increased by up to 50% as part of the Melton Line Upgrade, which will see the introduction of 9-car VLocity trains by 2028.
Level crossings at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road, Diggers Rest will also be removed in 2025, one year earlier than planned.
Removing the crossings will make the Sunbury Line level crossing free and reduce the amount of boom gate down time when the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025.
Delivering for the Frankston Line
Communities in the south-east will also benefit from fast-tracked level crossing removals, with Station Street, Aspendale, and Bear Street and McDonald Street, Mordialloc to go by 2026, 3 years earlier than planned.
The McDonald Street and Station Street crossings will be removed with elevated rail, creating more opportunities for a vibrant station precinct with safe access for pedestrians and cyclists. Removing the McDonald Street boom gates allows the Bear Street level crossing to be closed to traffic.
Early geotechnical investigations have already started in the area, with boreholes and surveys being carried out to inform the detailed design of the project.
More than 26,000 vehicles travel over the McDonald Street and Bear Street, Mordialloc and Station Street, Aspendale level crossings each day.