The new Deer Park Station and Mt Derrimut Road rail bridge are now open to passengers in Melbourne’s west.
The new station opened to commuters on Monday 24 April, with trains now running after a 14-day construction blitz.
More than 300 people have been working on the project since April 11, 2023, to remove the level crossing and build the new station while trains were not running on the Ballarat and Geelong train lines.
Major work will still continue on the new Deer Park Station over the next few months to install lifts and ramps, fit myki readers, create 150 new and upgraded car parks and build the multi-bay bus interchange and pick-up/drop-off zones.
Landscaping is also set to take place around the precinct as well as improved connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, including a connection to both sides of the new station.
Related stories
- WA government invests $125M into electric bus program
- Further upgrades to come for Wimmera Highway
- Recycled plastic included in Deer Park station construction
Member for Koroit, Luba Grigorovitch, said the completion of the project is a great milestone for the community.
“The community will welcome seeing the back of the Mt Derrimut Road level crossing. It will make a huge difference to how people move around the area, reducing congestion and making it safer to travel.”
With the level crossing gone and the station open, crews will turn their attention to upgrading the road intersection, with Mt Derrimut Road to close at the level crossing from May 1 to June 2, 2023.
While works continue on the station, temporary access arrangements will be in place, with the installation of lifts and ramps expected to be completed late this year.
The Mt Derrimut Road boom gates were down for up to 60 per cent of the morning peak, delaying up to 23,000 vehicles that passed through each day and causing traffic chaos in this part of Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Last year the level crossings were removed at Fitzgerald Road, Ardeer and Robinsons Road, Deer Park, with the Geelong and Ballarat lines now level crossing free between Deer Park and the city.