Yarraville is set to become boom gate free, and the community is now invited to help shape designs for the Anderson Street level crossing closure.
As part of the project, the level crossing will be permanently closed to vehicles in 2029 with a new pedestrian and cyclist underpass built to maintain connection either side of the rail line, boosting safety in the area.
Anderson Street is one of the most dangerous level crossings on the metropolitan rail network, with one fatality and 4 serious injuries since 2006, and a further 26 near misses involving trains, pedestrians and vehicles since 2016. As recently as 2023, a vehicle collided with a train at this intersection.
Boom gates can be down for almost half the morning peak as up to 50 trains travel through the crossing, causing congestion and delays for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
As part of early planning, locals are being asked to help shape the designs for the new underpass, providing feedback on how they move around the area and what’s important to them, by Sunday 30 November on Engage Victoria.
Expert assessments determined closing the level crossing is the best design solution for Yarraville due to the narrow rail corridor and densely developed area.
It also provides opportunities to enhance the Yarraville Village, making the precinct quicker, safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists to get around, with no more waiting at the boom gates.
Vehicles travelling to Yarraville Village from the west will be able to cross the rail line via nearby Somerville Road and Francis Street.
Five level crossings are going for good in Melbourne’s inner-west, at Newport, Altona, Spotswood and Yarraville.
Local roads will also be made safer and less congested when the new West Gate Tunnel opens, with a 24-hour truck ban to be introduced on Hudsons Road, between Melbourne Road and Booker Street.
Across Melbourne, we’re removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings by 2030, with 87 already gone for good.