Work has begun on the Gap Road level crossing removal, to free up Sunbury’s worst traffic bottleneck 2 years earlier than first planned.
Crews have dug alongside Gap Road and Station Street to relocate underground services and remove a small number of trees before major construction on the new road underpass starts later this year.
Detailed design work continues on the project, but traffic changes will be needed on Gap Road to keep workers and road users safe until major construction is complete in 2022.
Westbound traffic lane is now closed on Gap Road/Station Street between Horne and Evans streets, with the other lane remaining open. The westbound bike lane and pedestrian path is also closed, with detours in place.
The Gap Road level crossing will be replaced 2 years early, with a new rail bridge and a road underpass on Gap Road/Station Street between Horne Street and Evans Street, including a shared path on both sides to provide a safe connection for pedestrians and cyclists.
The road under rail design will ensure the heritage-listed Sunbury Station is preserved and have the least impact on rail services during construction, although there will still be some disruption at times.
The project is part of the Sunbury Line Upgrade, which will prepare the line for bigger, more modern trains that will run when the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025 – giving passengers access to 5 new stations in Melbourne’s CBD, Arden, Parkville and St Kilda Road.