Changes today, better transport tomorrow

Planning is underway for the future of Sunbury, with major changes coming to your local road and rail network.

Transforming road and rail transport in Sunbury

As you travel around the local area, you’ll start to see a whole lot of changes happening today as we work to make it easier for you to travel tomorrow.

There’s so much happening because we’re investing more than $2 billion in road and rail projects to support the thriving Sunbury community.

On the roads, we’re getting on with the removal of 3 level crossings as well as upgrading Sunbury Road with extra lanes, new traffic lights and a second bridge over Jacksons Creek.

On the rail network, we’re upgrading the Sunbury Line to carry bigger, more modern trains once the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025... it’s sooner than we think!

The Sunbury Line will connect into the Metro Tunnel stopping at 5 new underground stations, joining with the Cranbourne/Pakenham Line at the other end.

Once complete, trains from Sunbury Station will connect you directly to hospitals and universities in Parkville, the Melbourne CBD and St Kilda Road.

You’ll also save up to 20 minutes on your journey, all without changing trains.

Delivery timeline for projects in your area

• Mid 2021
  • early works begin on the Gap Road level crossing removal.
• Late 2021
  • major construction begins on the Gap Road level crossing removal.
  • early works begin on the Sunbury Road Upgrade.
• Mid 2022
  • Sunbury Road Upgrade major construction begins.
  • boom gates removed at Gap Road level crossing.
• Late 2022
  • road reopened to traffic at Gap Road.
• 2023
  • Gap Road Level Crossing Removal Project complete.
  • Sunbury Line Upgrade complete.
• 2025
  • Sunbury Road Upgrade complete.
  • Holden Road level crossing closed.
  • Calder Park Drive level crossing removed.
  • The Metro Tunnel opens.

Removing the level crossing at Gap Road

Anyone who works or lives in Sunbury will know the Gap Road level crossing is a major source of congestion.

Did you know the boom gates can be down for almost half an hour in the morning peak when up to 24 trains run through the crossing?

The Gap Road level crossing will be replaced, with a new rail bridge and a road underpass on Gap Road/Station Street between Horne and Evans streets, including a path on both sides to provide a safe connection for pedestrians and cyclists.

The added beauty of this road-under-rail design is the heritage-listed Sunbury Station is preserved while also reducing train disruptions during construction.

Coordinating the Gap Road level crossing with the Sunbury Line Upgrade means we could bring forward the removal from 2025 to 2022 and minimise disruptions.

Sunbury Line Upgrade and the Metro Tunnel

We’re upgrading the Sunbury Line so you’ll benefit from the Metro Tunnel when it opens in 2025.

• A train every 5 minutes on the Sunbury Line.
• Room for 113,000 more passengers every week.
• Direct access to 5 new underground stations.
• Platforms extended to fit bigger, more modern trains.
• An end-to-end Sunbury to Cranbourne/Pakenham rail line linked by the Metro Tunnel.

Sunbury Road Upgrade

We’re upgrading Sunbury Road to improve local connections and safety for more than 25,000 drivers who use this road every day.

As part of the upgrade, we’re adding extra lanes between Powlett Street and Bulla-Diggers Rest Road, installing traffic lights, upgrading the existing bridge and building a new bridge over Jacksons Creek.

We are also building new walking and cycling paths and installing safety barriers along the road.

When the upgrade is finished in 2025, you’ll experience improved travel times and smoother journeys, while also making room for the future growth of Sunbury and surrounding areas.

Disposing of tunnel soil safely

Work has started on a purpose-built facility at the Hi-Quality Bulla Spoil Processing Facility that will be used to treat and dispose of soil excavated by the tunnel boring machines on the West Gate Tunnel Project.

Works at the site are being carefully coordinated with the Sunbury Road Upgrade to minimise traffic disruptions. Temporary traffic lights are being installed at the entrance to Hi-Quality to create a safer and more efficient intersection.

Hi-Quality is meeting regularly with community groups to provide information about the new facility and make sure that local views are taken into account.

Final preparations for tunnelling are underway and it’s expected to commence in early 2022.

Upcoming disruptions

We’re working hard to build a better transport network. While we work, road and public transport disruptions could affect your travel.

Melbourne’s freeway network

Over summer, there’ll be major road works on the West Gate Bridge, West Gate Freeway, M80 Ring Road interchange, Monash Freeway and Princes Freeway.

We’ll be closing key sections of the freeway network for road maintenance and resurfacing, as well as building new lanes and ramps.