Early designs have been released for 2 new pedestrian underpasses that will replace the dangerous Anderson Street, Yarraville level crossing, providing safer connections either side of the rail line.
Closing part of Anderson Street to vehicles in 2029 will unlock space for a new pedestrian plaza east of the rail line, with seating and new open space to complement Yarraville’s unique village atmosphere.
The new underpass at Anderson Street will feature stairs and lifts for cyclists and people with prams, mobility aids and wheelchairs. A new underpass will also be built north of the station near Murray Street and will feature stairs and accessible ramps.
Vehicle access will be retained on the west side of the rail line through the bus interchange to ensure cars and buses can move safely around the area.
The project will replace parking lost on Anderson Street in the nearby Canterbury Street car park.
The designs have been shaped by community feedback, including more than 560 online survey responses and 4 community workshops with residents and traders, with locals eager to retain the village feel of 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 the level crossing.
Boom gates are down for almost half of the two-hour morning peak as up to 50 trains travel through the crossing, causing congestion and delays for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. More trains are set to run on the Werribee line, making the closure of the Anderson Street level crossing crucial to boosting safety at a location where there are twice as many pedestrians and bikes using the level crossing as vehicles.
Expert assessments determined closing the level crossing is the best design solution for Yarraville due to the narrow rail corridor and densely developed area.
The community can view the design and provide feedback at Engage Victoria by 11.59pm, Sunday 21 June.
Five level crossings are going for good in Melbourne’s inner-west, at Newport, Altona, Spotswood and Yarraville, with the Werribee Line now to be boom gate free by 2029, a year ahead of schedule.
