Construction crews have installed a 50m-long steel rail bridge section over Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road as part of the Webb Street level crossing removal.
The bridge section over Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road forms part of the new one-kilometre rail bridge that will permanently separate vehicles and trains at Webb Street, improving safety and easing congestion for locals.
The project team installed the bridge section in 2, 50-m-long, sections across Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, where it will permanently stand next to the existing rail bridge.
The original bridge was built almost 20 years ago as part of upgrades to the road that included the removal of the former level crossing.
In total, it took 5 nights to prepare and complete the safe installation of the bridge section. Instead of using a crane, a highly specialised self-propelled modular transporter was used to jack the bridge spans up to 9m high.
The transporter then carefully moved the bridge section along Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road and fitted it into place. This allowed crews to safely and precisely install the steel bridge sections within the restricted space of the road underpass.
Bridge to span decades
LXRP superintendent Rod Turpin might be the single biggest contributor to rail upgrades in the Narre Warren area.
Not only was he instrumental in the construction of the new rail bridge section over Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, he also had a pivotal role in the construction of the original rail bridge and Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road upgrade 19 years ago.
According to Rod, installing the steel bridge over Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road to form part of the new rail bridge extending over Webb Street was one of the most complicated projects undertaken in Melbourne’s outer south-eastern suburbs.
“The original bridge was part of a road upgrade project, rather than a rail project, so it was installed quickly,” he said.
“We closed the rail line for just three days and worked round the clock to install it. The Webb Street level crossing removal is a much bigger job.
“We are elevating the rail line over Webb Street, building a new bridge over Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, and of course, building a new Narre Warren Station.”
Up to 13,200 vehicles pass through the level crossing every day, with the boom gates down for up to 33% of the morning peak, causing congestion in the heart of Narre Warren’s shopping district.
Rod said removing the level crossing will leave an important legacy for residents, commuters and drivers.
“The first grade separation at Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road almost 20 years ago definitely made driving easier for locals and removing the Webb Street level crossing will be crucial to improving that and making the road safer.”
Hear more from Rod in the video below.
With the bridge installed over Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, the project team will continue works on removing the level crossing and building the new Narre Warren Station.
Station precinct to take shape
The elevated Narre Warren Station will feature 2 accessible platforms, an air-conditioned waiting room, secure bike storage and a landscaped forecourt with seating.
The project will also improve access to the station precinct, with a new signalised pedestrian crossing on Webb Street, a new drop-off and taxi zone, and pathways with better lighting and CCTV.
In total, 22 level crossings on the Pakenham Line are being removed, with 13 already gone for good.
The Pakenham and Cranbourne lines will be boom gate free when the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025, creating capacity for an additional 121,000 commuters every week
Across Melbourne 110 level crossings are being removed, with 72 already gone for good, transforming the way people live, work and travel.