Melbourne's Sunbury level crossing removal gets underway -

Melbourne’s Sunbury level crossing removal gets underway

Artist’s impression of the new Gap Road level crossing.

Major construction on the removal of Sunbury’s congested Gap Road level crossing in Melbourne is set to begin in three weeks’ time.

This follows the awarding of the project contract, as well as the revealing of the final designs for the project.

Rail Infrastructure Alliance (RIA) – comprising John Holland, CPB Contractors, AECOM and Metro Trains Melbourne – has been awarded the contract. The Alliance is also delivering major works, including the Sunbury Line Upgrade and Metro Tunnel Project.

The project will remove the bottleneck two years earlier than scheduled, with a new road under the rail line set to be in place by the end of 2022 and all work to be completed by 2023.

The crossing will be replaced with a new rail bridge and a road underpass on Gap Street/Station Street. This will also include the construction of a new shared path for cyclist and pedestrians.

Currently, about 19,000 vehicles pass through the crossing each day. This number is expected to rise to 27,000 by 2026.

Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the project will help to bolster local infrastructure.

“The Gap Road level crossing removal will transform how people move around Sunbury, and the Sunbury Line Upgrade will enable bigger, better trains on the line, connecting to the Metro Tunnel’s five new stations in 2025,” Allan said.

Member for Sunbury Josh Bull said the project will allow for greater traffic flows in Sunbury for motorists and will improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

“Our growing community will see the benefits for years to come from this critical project, and the many other transport projects underway or about to begin as part of the Victorian Government’s investment in Sunbury’s future,” Bull said.

The level crossing removal is being delivered as part of the Sunbury Line Upgrade, which will prepare the line for bigger, more modern trains that will run when the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025.

The Victorian Government is removing 85 level crossings by 2025, with 50 due for completion before end of this year.