The new road bridge that will make Diggers Rest safer and less congested has been named Golden Way in recognition of the area’s gold rush roots.
The road bridge will open on Wednesday 18 June, taking vehicles over the rail line at Stan Payne Reserve and connecting to Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road, with the dangerous and congested Old Calder Highway level crossing gone for good.
Golden Way was chosen as the new road name following community consultation, with feedback showing it was the preferred choice of the 5 names shortlisted for their connection to the area's history and geography.
The name is a nod to the township’s early establishment in the 1850s as a resting point for diggers heading to the central Victorian goldfields.
The new Golden Way road bridge is fast taking shape, with structural work now completed and painting of the bridge almost complete, featuring warm, natural tones that reflect the local landscape.
Work will continue over the coming weeks to complete surfacing works on the road bridge and constructing the new roundabout on Old Calder Highway, which will connect to the new road bridge and keep traffic flowing safely.
Old Calder Highway will close between the level crossing and Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road from Wednesday 18 June until Monday 21 July to allow works to permanently close the road at the level crossing.
Work is also well underway on building a road bridge over the Sunbury Line at Watsons Road, with crews installing retaining walls and preparing the abutments that form the approaches to the road bridge, which will permanently separate vehicles and trains.
More than 8000 vehicles use the 2 level crossings every day, facing delays of up to 36 minutes when 27 trains travel through the crossings during the morning peak.
Both level crossings will be gone this year, making Diggers Rest – and the Sunbury Line – level crossing free.
