Removal of 4 dangerous & congested VIC level crossings fast tracked

The Victorian Government is fast-tracking the removal of four dangerous and congested level crossings in Melton and Truganina to provide the community with safer rail and road transport infrastructure. 

The level crossings at Coburns Road, Exford Road and Ferris Road in Melton as well as at Hopkins Road in Truganina will be removed to relieve congestion for the more than 73,000 vehicles that pass through these roads each day. 

“Getting rid of these four dangerous and congested level crossings will make Melton level crossing free by 2026 and enable locals to get where they need to go more safely with fewer delays,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson said. 

In addition to the removal of the level crossings, a new modern and accessible Melton Station is going to be built to cater for one of the country’s fastest growing communities while increasing train capacity and paving the way for future improvements to the rail line. 

The community is invited to have their say on the project. Feedback from this consultation process, along with technical and engineering requirements, will help inform the concept designs for the level crossings removal that are expected to be released next year. 

For those interested in providing feedback, online surveys and information about in-person and online events can be found at the Engage Victoria website. 

“Community feedback is an important part of all level crossing removal projects and we’re asking Melton locals to help shape their new station precinct, which will deliver significant benefits to this growing community, including a modern and accessible Melton Station,” Member for Melton Steve McGhie said. 

“Getting rid of the level crossing at Hopkins Road, Truganina will reduce congestion and improve access in this busy area, and I encourage community members to have their say on this important project,” Member for Kororoit Luba Grigorovitch said. 

Through engineering assessments, it was confirmed that the level crossings at Ferris Road and Hopkins Road will be removed by constructing road bridges over the rail line. On the other hand, rail bridges will be built over the Coburns Road and Exford Roads to replace boom gates. 

These design solutions will help minimise disruptions to road and rail traffic while construction is carried out. 

Major construction activities to remove the dangerous and congested level crossings are anticipated to commence in 2024. The new Melton Station is due to open and the four level crossing permanently gone in 2026, two years ahead of schedule. 

Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Victoria’s Big Build – Level Crossing Removal Project (1, 2); Engage Victoria; Roads & Infrastructure Australia