Deer Park to be level crossing free one year early

The Victorian Government has announced that the level crossing at Mt Derrimut Road, Deer Park will be removed more than a year ahead of schedule.

The level crossing is being replaced with a 1.2-kilometre elevated rail bridge and a new transport hub, which is expected to provide safer connections and increase connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, and bus and rail passengers.

“This dangerous level crossing at Mt Derrimut Road has affected people, trains and traffic with collisions, near misses and congestions – we’re thrilled it’s going to be gone for good,” said Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan.

“We’re also delivering a brand-new station – with all the amenities that will make catching a train quick and easy for commuters in our growing west, while connecting the communities on both sides of the rail line.”

The removal of the level crossing will aim to ease delays for the 23,000 vehicles that pass through each day, with boom gates currently down for up to 60 per cent of the morning peak.

The transport hub will feature a new Deer Park train station, including a multi-bay bus interchange, spacious landscaped forecourts, sustainable rooftop gardens, a secure Parkiteer bike cage and bike hoops, as well as 150 new and upgraded car parking spaces.

The new station will include pick-up and drop-off zones on both sides of the Geelong and Ballarat rail lines, and feature two elevated platforms with accessible lifts, ramps and stairs, a new air-conditioned waiting room, as well as pathways, lighting, and security cameras throughout the precinct.

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A new pedestrian connection under the elevated structure will also provide safer access to suburbs on each side of the rail line, including new residential areas in Derrimut, as well as schools, parks, and healthcare services.

This summer, crews will lift 60 concrete L-beams, each weighing approximately 100 tonnes, onto concrete columns that will form part of the rail bridge. 28 beams have already been lifted into place, with the remaining lifts to continue later this month.

As works continue, crews will work around the clock on weekdays until late March to build the eastern retaining wall and new station, with other night works required at times.

This milestone follows the recent removal of the nearby level crossings at Fitzgerald Road, Ardeer and Robinsons Road, Deer Park, which were delivered last year.

Once the Mt Derrimut Road level crossing is gone, the Geelong and Ballarat lines will be boom gate-free between Deer Park and the city.

Works are ramping up right across Melbourne in early 2023 as work is underway to remove 110 level crossings by 2030 – which would make the Cranbourne, Pakenham, Frankston, Lilydale, Sunbury, and Werribee lines all level crossing free.

“We’re not wasting a moment getting on with removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne – with 67 already gone for good, and work ramping up for a big 2023,” said Premier Daniel Andrews.

“We’re getting more Victorians home safer and sooner by removing level crossings – as well as freeing up roads and helping us run more trains, thousands of Victorians now have a pipeline of work on a Big Build project.”

For more information, visit: www.bigbuild.vic.gov.au