The Gap Road level crossing has been removed

The Gap Road level crossing located in the heart of Sunbury was a major source of congestion in the busy town centre, with 19,000 vehicles crossing the rail line at Gap Road daily.

With the boom gates down for more than a quarter of the morning peak and traffic expected to grow 40% by 2026, removing the level crossing was critical to improving safety and liveability in Melbourne’s booming north west.

Gap Road closed to traffic in June 2022 and reopened in September, freeing up Sunbury’s worst traffic bottleneck 3 years earlier than first planned. Minor works are continuing into 2023.

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Before

After

Aerial view of the new Gap Road underpass and road

Why this level crossing had to go

Eases congestion 19,000 cars travel through the level crossing each day, expected to rise to 27,000 by 2026
Removes bottleneck Boom gates down for 26% of the morning peak
Allows more trains Up to 24 trains run through the crossing in the morning peak

The Gap Road level crossing was removed with a road under rail design.

New pedestrian and cycling paths were also included as part of the design, better connecting the community to both sides of Sunbury.

The designs of the rail bridge and road took into account community and stakeholder feedback received during consultation in November 2020.

The updated design saw refinements to the retaining wall pattern and colour. The rail bridge design was also updated, with the number of bridge footings reduced to increase visibility for people using the paths.

In mid 2022 the design was finalised.

Sunbury local and Yorta Yorta, Gunaikurnai and Gunditjmara artist Teena Moffatt created the artwork for the new Gap Road rail bridge.

Teena’s artwork references the volcanic plains of the western district, the ancient presence of Mount Holden hovering over Sunbury, Jackson’s Creek winding through local valleys and the unique features of the Organ Pipes and Rosette Rock.

In addition to referencing the significant archaeological and geological sites within Sunbury and surrounds, the artwork features manna gum leaves undulating along its full length. In Wurundjeri tradition, the manna gum leaf is gifted to travellers and the bearer then promises to only take what can be given back from Wurundjeri Country.

Ahead of Sunbury’s Gap Road reopening to traffic, 2000 locals celebrated at a Community Day with free entertainment, giveaways and more.

Gap Road community day The community celebrates the removal of the Gap Road level crossing.

The Gap Road Level Crossing Removal project was approved by the Minister for Planning on 14 April 2021 under Clause 52.03 (Level Crossing Removal Project) of the Hume Planning Scheme.

Project Area Designation

On 5 January 2021, the Minister for Planning designated the Gap Road, Sunbury Level Crossing Removal Project Area under section 95 of the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009 (MTPF Act). See Gap Road, Sunbury – Project Area Designation.

Community feedback

In November 2020, we asked you to give us feedback on a range of planning matters relating to the Gap Road level crossing removal project. You also told us what you value about Sunbury, how you move around the area and how you access and use public transport.

You can read more about the community feedback we received and how it has helped us to progress project planning in our community consultation report.

The report details the key themes raised by the community, local businesses and stakeholders about the project’s early plans.

We heard your top areas of interest were:

Environmental management
Ensuring effective traffic management is in place during construction to minimise disruption
Timely information about construction activities and associated impacts
Importance of cultural heritage and local history.

Using the collated community feedback, the design was refined and finalised.

Bird's eye view of rail tracks being removed from a crossing. — The rail tracks and boom gates are removed

Aerial view of 2 cranes towering over a large construction site at Gap Road — Cranes do the heavy lifting as the Gap Road rail bridge takes shape

Close up view of the rail bridge under construction at Gap Road with cranes and workers around it. — Concrete slabs being moved into place

Bird's eye view of new tracks in place at the crossing. — New tracks laid ready for train services to resume

Aerial view of work site with diggers — Excavation under the rail bridge begins

Mini tunnel boring machine Kaitlin is retrieved after drainage works

A view of the worksite showing underpass excavation — The road underpass and pedestrian and cycling paths take shape

A road underpass and rail bridge — Construction of the road underpass nears completion

Locals celebrate at the Community Day ahead of the road opening

An aerial shot of a 2 lane road going under a rail bridge — The road underpass is completed in September 2022

The Gap Road level crossing has been removed

Learn more