The Cranbourne and Pakenham lines are one step closer to being level crossing free with the release today of final designs for the Webster Street, Dandenong level crossing removal.
The boom gates will be gone in late 2025 with a new road connection to open in 2026, two years ahead of schedule.
Work will start soon on the new road underpass connecting Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street to Cheltenham and Hammond roads.
The final designs for the project show vehicles will be rerouted via an underpass beneath the rail line, taking traffic away from the Dandenong CBD and heavy vehicles off Webster Street.
The road was originally slated to open in 2028, but extensive engineering assessments found the new rail bridge structure can be built before excavating the underpass, reducing construction time and disruptions, and ensuring it will open in 2026 to deliver a more reliable road network, sooner.
A $252 million contract for the work has been awarded to an alliance comprising John Holland Group, Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR), Metro Trains Melbourne and the Level Crossing Removal Project, who will deliver the suburb-shaping project that will prepare the heart of Dandenong for future development opportunities.
Getting rid of the Webster Street level crossing in 2025 will make the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines boom gate free, changing the way people live, work and travel. Together with the Metro Tunnel, these projects will allow more services to run on Melbourne’s busiest train line.
The project includes a new walking and cycling path under the existing Dandenong Creek rail bridge, connecting to the Dandenong Creek Trail and providing safer, faster pedestrian and cycling access across the rail line.
A new signalised intersection will also be built at the Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street, creating safer traffic flow for all vehicles.
The Webster Street level crossing is one of the most dangerous in Melbourne, with 22 near misses recorded since 2012.
Boom gates are down for 62 minutes during the morning peak, causing traffic chaos for drivers in the heart of Dandenong.
Removing eight level crossings in the Greater Dandenong area will save around six hours of boom gate down time each morning, directly benefiting businesses in this busy industrial area.
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