Construction blitz to remove 4 level crossings to get underway in 2024

The Victorian Government will carry out a construction blitz in early 2024 to build two new stations as well as remove four dangerous and congested level crossings, which will make the Lilydale Line the first rail line to become boom gate free. 

Three level crossings along the Lilydale Line will be permanently removed a year ahead of schedule. This includes the level crossings at Coolstore Road in Croydon, Dublin Road in Ringwood East, and Cave Hill Road in Lilydale. 

The Bedford Road level crossing in Ringwood will also be removed to make the Belgrave Line between the city and Ferntree Gully boom gate free. 

“Getting rid of another four dangerous level crossings and building two new stations a year ahead of schedule is a huge milestone for Melbourne’s outer east – we're getting on with the job of building better transport services, easing congestion and getting Victorians home sooner,” Premier Jacinta Allan said. 

Aerial view of the new Ringwood East Station (source: Victoria's Big Build)

Crews will work round the clock between 30 January and April 2024 to replace the Bedford Road level crossing with a 380-metre trench, taking trains underneath the road. During this time, buses will replace trains on sections of the Lilydale and Belgrave lines. In addition, Bedford Road is going to be closed to traffic for about two months. 

Construction will also continue at Dublin Road where crews will dig the 650-metre rail trench and build the new Ringwood East Station. These works will make the Ringwood level crossing free and will help relieve congestion on the roads for the 23,000 vehicles that travel through the crossings each day. 

From 30 January 2024, works to remove the Coolstore Road level crossing will progress, with the new Croydon Station expected to open by spring 2024. In the coming weeks, works to build a new pedestrian underpass at Cave Hill Road will begin and the road is going to be closed at the level crossing from 24 January. 

“We’re thrilled the Lilydale Line will be the first line to become boom gate-free a yar early in 2024 – transforming the way people move in the outer east,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson said. 

“The early removal of the dangerous and congested level crossings at Bedford and Dublin roads will allow Ringwood to become level crossing free – unclogging local roads and making the area safer,” Member for North-Eastern Metropolitan Region Shaun Leane said. 

“Early completion of Croydon’s new world-class transport hub will be welcomed by the community, with the project set to transform the town centre by making it easier to access shops and services,” Member for North-Eastern Metropolitan Region Sonja Terpstra said. 

Artist impression of a level crossing-free Bedford Road (source: Victoria's Big Build)

Eight level crossings have been removed from the Belgrave and Lilydale lines since 2016 and five new stations have been constructed, transforming how more than 72,000 passengers travel on Melbourne’s second busiest rail network. 

The Victorian Government is removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings by 2030, with 73 already gone for good. 

Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Victoria’s Big Build – Level Crossing Removal Project