Melton to be level crossing-free by 2028

Level crossing at Ferris road, Melton — Ferris Road, Melton. Image: Victoria’s Big Build.

The Victorian Government will remove four more level crossings to reduce congestion and pave the way for more train services in Melbourne’s outer west.

Works will start next year to remove level crossings at Coburns road, Exford Road, and Ferris Road in Melton, as well as Hopkins road in Truganina, with the projects set for completion by 2028.

The removals will make Melton level crossing-free, and reduce congestion on roads for more than 73,000 vehicles per day. Boom gates at these locations are currently down for up to 28 minutes of the morning peak while 16 trains pass through.

A new modern and accessible station planned for Melton will also pave the way for future improvements to the line and increased train capacity along the rail corridor.

“We’ve already removed 67 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne – but there’s more to do, and we’re getting on with making Melton completely crossing-free,” said Premier Daniel Andrews.

“This project will build on our huge transport investments in Melbourne’s outer west – with more new stations, fewer level crossings and hundreds more services already running through Melton, this is the next step to deliver world-class public transport for our fastest-growing communities.”

The Coburns Road removal is expected to reduce travel times and improve traffic between Melton and the Western Freeway, while removing the Exford Road crossing is expected to ease congestion around the town’s busy main street.

Ferris Road is a major arterial through the new suburb of Cobblebank – removing its level crossing will help commuters get to and from Cobblebank Station and the Western Freeway. Removing the level crossing at Hopkins Road, Truganina will ease congestion for the community and improve access for trucks travelling around the growing industrial centre.

Early assessments indicate the level crossings at Exford Road and Coburns Road will be removed by a rail trench, while Hopkins Road and Ferris Roads will be removed by elevating the road over the train tracks.

Final designs will be released after extensive consultation with the community and detailed site investigations.

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