The Truganina community has stepped out to celebrate the new Hopkins Road bridge, which opened to traffic in May, boosting safety and easing congestion in the area.
About 400 locals made the most of the free festivities last Saturday, which included free coffee, Indian food, Dutch pancakes, roving entertainers, face painting, and cardboard robot building activities, enjoyed by young and old alike.
A large painting made by the students at nearby Mindalk Primary School in collaboration with local artist Glen Downey was also unveiled.
The art initiative was coordinated by the project team, with the students working with the artist across several sessions to paint what they hope to see in their local community, including local flora and fauna. The large-scale piece will be gifted back to the school.
Works will continue across the project area over the coming weeks to complete landscaping, featuring more than 80,000 native plants, trees and shrubs.
Further works are currently underway to remove 3 more level crossings at nearby Ferris, Coburns and Exford roads in Melton, and build a new Melton Station, which will open to passengers later in 2026.
