Removal of Webster Street level crossing in Dandenong a step closer
The dangerous and congested level crossing on Webster Street in Dandenong, Victoria will be removed for good by late 2025, taking the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines a step closer to being level crossing free.
The Victorian Government has revealed the final designs for the removal of the Webster Street level crossing. The project will reroute vehicles via an underpass beneath the rail line, taking traffic away from the Dandenong CBD while also removing heavy vehicles off Webster Street.
The new road underpass will ultimately connect Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street to Cheltenham and Hammond roads.
“Remiving the Webster Street level crossing and building a new east-west road connection two years earlier than planned will help take trucks out of Dandenong CBD,” Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams said.
Artist impression on Webster Street level crossing removal project (source: Victoria's Big Build)
This project was originally slated to be completed in 2028 but due to extensive engineering assessments, it was found that the new rail bridge structure can be built before excavating the underpass – reducing construction time and disruptions.
The new road connection is now expected to open to traffic in 2026 – two years ahead of schedule.
An alliance comprised of John Holland Group, Kellogg Brown & Root, Metro Trains Melbourne and the Level Crossing Removal Project has been awarded a $252 million contract to deliver the new underpass and remove the level crossing for good.
This level crossing removal project will also deliver a new pedestrian and cycling underpass beneath the existing Dandenong Creek rail bridge, connecting it to the Dandenong Creek Trail to provide faster and safer access across the rail line.
A new signalised intersection at Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street will also be built to provide safer traffic flow for all vehicles.
Project map (source: Victoria's Big Build)
The Webster Street level crossing is one of the most dangerous in Melbourne, seeing 22 near misses since 2012 and boom gates are down for about 62 minutes during the morning peak.
Removing eight level crossings in the Greater Dandenong area will help save up to six hours of boom gate down time each morning. Not only does it directly benefit businesses in this busy industrial area, but it will also coincide with the opening of the Metro Tunnel – a project that will allow more services to run on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.
“We are removing every level crossing on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines, easing congestion and improving safety on local roads throughout the booming southeastern suburbs.
“The Webster Street level crossings will be the last to go on the Pakenham Line, and this project, together with the Metro Tunnel, will change the way people live, work and travel,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson said.
Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Victoria’s Big Build – Level Crossing Removal Project (1, 2); Infrastructure Magazine
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