Construction is now underway to remove the dangerous and congested Melton Highway level crossing.

Member for Sydenham Natalie Hutchins visited the new site office today, which will serve as a base for up to 300 workers throughout the project

The Melton Highway level crossing is one of Melbourne’s worst, with boom gates down for 24 minutes in the morning peak, causing disruption, frustration and delay for tens of thousands of motorists every day.

The Andrews Labor Government will remove the crossing by building a new six-lane road bridge over the Sunbury/Bendigo line, safely separating trains from traffic for the first time.

Work will begin with the relocation of gas, water and other utilities in preparation for major construction, which will ramp up in the coming works.

To enable work, there will be traffic changes near the level crossing. While two lanes will remain open in each direction, there will be a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h to ensure the safety of workers and staff. Some temporary lane closures will also be required during peak construction periods.

From mid-year, all traffic will be moved to the northern side of the road, to allow work to commence on the south side of the new road bridge without closing Melton Highway.

Sydenham Road will be closed at the intersection of Melton Highway throughout the works, and will reopen and connect with Victoria Road underneath the new road bridge once it is complete. Detours are now in place.

The new Melton Highway road bridge will create better walking and cycling paths and new community open space – both important issues raised by locals during consultation last year.

The Labor Government isn’t wasting a moment removing Victoria’s worst level crossings, with ten already gone and 11 more underway.

The $46 million Melton Highway level crossing removal will be complete late next year. For more information or to sign up for updates visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Member for Sydenham Natalie Hutchins

“The Melton Highway level crossings clogs traffic, holds back our train system and puts lives at risk. We promised to get rid of it and work has now begun.”

“This project will make Sydenham safer and less congested, while also creating hundreds of jobs.”

“My community has been fighting to see this dangerous and congested level crossing removed, and after years of excuses under the former Liberal Government, we are listening, acting and getting it done.”