Removal of two more dangerous & congested Melton level crossings fast-tracked

The Victorian Government is fast-tracking the removal of dangerous and congested level crossings that will make Melton boom gate-free by 2026, two years ahead of schedule. 

Early concept designs for the level crossing removals on Ferris Road, Melton and Hopkins Road, Truganina have been released and the community is now asked to provide their feedback, which will help refine the designs for the projects. 

“The release of these designs takes us closer to getting rid of the level crossing in Melton and we encourage everyone in the community to provide feedback on this suburb-shaping project,” Member for Melton Steve McGhie said. 

New Ferris Road bridge (source: Engage Victoria)

To remove the level crossings, new road bridges will be built over the rail line at Ferris Road and Hopkins Road to create safer and smoother journeys for motorists. 

New walking and cycling paths will also be built on the road bridges as a response to community feedback. This feature is possible thanks to an investment through the State Government’s Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) fund. 

An alliance comprising of Fulton Hogan, Metro Trains Melbourne and the Level Crossings Removal Project has been awarded a $229 million contract to build the Ferris Road and Hopkins Road bridges. 

“Removing the level crossing at Hopkins Road, Truganina will improve safety, ease congestion and ensure locals never have to get stuck at these frustrating boom gates again,” Member for Kororoit Luba Grigorovitch said. 

New Hopkins Road bridge (source: Engage Victoria)

This announcement builds on the previously released early concept designs for new rail bridges that will take trains over Coburns Road and Exford Road along with a new Melton Station. 

Currently, drivers experience 28 minutes of boom gates down time during the morning peak when 16 trains pass through. Removing the four level crossings on Coburns Road, Exford Road, Ferris Road and Hopkins Road will help ease congestion for the more than 73,000 vehicles that pass by these locations each day. 

Major construction on the level crossing removal projects will commence later this year, with all four level crossings gone and the new Melton Station completed in 2026. 

“The release of the latest designs is an exciting step towards getting rid of these Melton level crossings once and for all. 

“We’re building a new Melton Station, getting rid of four dangerous and congested level crossings and making Melton boom gate free by 2026, improving safety and busting congestion for locals in the west,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson said. 

These projects will also pave the way for the introduction of larger 9-car VLocity trains as part of the $650 million Melton Line Upgrade that aims to increase capacity for passengers on the line by 50 per cent. 

The Victorian Government is removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne by 2030, with 77 already gone for good. 

Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Victoria’s Big Build – Level Crossing Removal Project (1, 2); Engage Victoria; Roads & Infrastructure Australia