Excavators digging a new road under the rail line at Dandenong have broken through, marking a major milestone as part of the Webster Street level crossing removal.
Dandenong’s new road underpass, connecting Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street to Cheltenham and Hammond roads, will open later this year, 2 years ahead of schedule, providing an alternative route across the rail line and taking trucks out of the Dandenong CBD.
Meanwhile, excavation will continue east of the rail line following the successful relocation of one of Melbourne’s major gas pipelines earlier this month.
Relocation of the pipeline began in September last year and could only be completed during the warmer months due to the pipeline’s critical role in Melbourne’s gas network.
About 13 Olympic swimming pools of soil are being excavated to form the underpass and so far, more than 21,000 tonnes of soil has been removed.
Due to the proximity of the Dandenong Creek to the new underpass, specialised equipment is being used to safely remove groundwater and keep the site dry during the excavation.
The excavated soil is being donated to a quarry rehabilitation project in Harkaway, and cement-based materials, such as piling pads, are sent to recycling partners for reuse.
Linking to Cheltenham and Hammond roads on the west side of the rail line and to a new signalised intersection at Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street on the east side, the new road underpass will reduce congestion, deliver a more reliable road network, and prepare Dandenong for future development.
