Works to remove the 86th level crossing under the Victorian Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project have been delivered in Diggers Rest.
A new bridge labelled ‘Golden Way’ will separate vehicles from trains by connecting the Old Calder Highway to Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road over the rail line.
More than 8000 vehicles used this level crossing every day, facing delays of up to 36 minutes when 27 trains travel through the crossings in the morning peak.
The ‘Golden Way’ name for the bridge acknowledges the area’s gold rush roots.
Getting rid of the level crossing brings the Sunbury Line one step closer to becoming boom gate free later this year, with work well under way at Watsons Road, Diggers Rest and Calder Park Drive and Holden Road in Calder Park. This will also support the opening of the Metro Tunnel later this year, with the removal of the Old Caldway Highway level crossing expected to unlock more services.
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The Old Calder Highway will close to traffic between the level crossing and Diggers Rest–Coimadai Road until July 21, to enable works to permanently close the crossing.
Crews will also build a new community space with landscaping and pedestrian connections between the station precinct and post office and complete Golden Way’s separated cycling path, which will open later this year.
The Level Crossing Removal Project is aiming to remove 110 level crossings across Melbourne by 2030.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams said these works would help motorists to travel safer and more efficiently.
“We removed this level crossing to help families get home sooner and safer, and with the metro tunnel opening later this year, this corridor is only going to get busier – which makes this level crossing removal all the more important for rail and road users,” Williams said.
