Thousands of motorists are experiencing safer journeys in Diggers Rest following the opening of the new Golden Way road bridge and removal of the dangerous and congested Old Calder Highway level crossing.
The road bridge opened to traffic early this morning, separating vehicles from trains by connecting Old Calder Highway to Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road over the rail line, boosting safety and easing congestion for locals.
The new road connection was named Golden Way in recognition of the area’s gold rush roots, and as the preferred choice by locals following community consultation.
With the level crossing now gone for good, the Sunbury Line is one step closer to being level crossing free this year, with work on the remaining level crossing removals well under way at Watsons Road, Diggers Rest, and in nearby Calder Park, with both the Calder Park Drive and Holden Road level crossings set to go in July.
More than 8000 vehicles used the 2 Diggers Rest level crossings every day, facing delays of up to 36 minutes when 27 trains travel through the Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road crossings in the morning peak.
With vehicles now travelling safely across the road bridge, Old Calder Highway will remain closed to traffic between the level crossing and Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road until Monday 21 July to enable works to permanently close the road at the crossing.
In the coming months, crews will build a new community space with landscaping and pedestrian connections between the Diggers Rest Station precinct and post office, and put the finishing touches on Golden Way’s separated cycling path, which will open later this year.
In addition to being level crossing free, Sunbury Line is also set to benefit from the opening of the Metro Tunnel later this year, providing rail passengers with direct access to 5 new underground stations and even more ways to move around Melbourne.
In total, we are removing 110 level crossings by 2030, with 86 already gone for good, boosting safety and easing congestion.
