Buses to replace trains of part of the Belgrave and Lilydale lines during crossing removals

Train commuters in Melbourne’s outer east face months of dreaded bus replacements as works ramp up to remove four level crossings.

An artist's impression of the new Croydon railway station from Main Street. Picture: Level Crossing Removal Project.

Train commuters in Melbourne’s outer east face months of disruptions as works ramp up to remove four level crossings and build two new stations along the Lilydale and Belgrave lines.

Buses will replace trains on sections of the lines between January 30 and April as the state government removes the crossings at Coolstore Rd Croydon, Dublin Rd Ringwood East, Cave Hill Rd Lilydale, and Bedford Rd, Ringwood.

Sky rail will arrive in Croydon with the removal of its Coolstore Rd level crossing and an elevated new railway station.

The Dublin Rd level crossing in Ringwood East on the Lilydale line, and the Bedford Rd level crossing in Ringwood on the Belgrave line will be removed with the train line to run underground.

An artist's impression of the new Croydon railway station with the Coolstore Rd level crossing removed. Picture: Level Crossing Removal Project.

A new station will also be built at Ringwood East.

The works will see:

— Crews from the Level Crossing Removal Project work 24/7 from January 30 until April to build the 380m rail trench that will take trains under Bedford Rd and replace the level crossing.

— Bedford Rd will close to traffic for about two months while the work is underway.

— Construction at Dublin Rd, with crews digging the 650m rail trench and building the new Ringwood East station.

— Croydon station closed from January 30 until spring. Shuttle buses will connect passengers to Ringwood East and Mooroolbark stations.

— Works to build a new pedestrian underpass at Cave Hill Rd will also start in the coming weeks, with the road closed at the level crossing from January 24.

New Bedford Rd and Great Ryrie Street intersection, looking east. Artist’s impression. Picture: Level Crossing Removal Project

Once the works are completed, the Lilydale line will become the first rail line in Melbourne to be boom gate free.

The first disruptions will see buses replace trains from Blackburn to Belgrave/Lilydale from 8.30pm Tuesday, January 30 to last service Friday, February, 2.

An artist’s impression of Dublin Rd level crossing free.

Buses will also replace trains from Ringwood to Belgrave from first service Saturday, February 3 to last service Sunday, February 4.

More information about rail disruptions during February, March and April are expected to be released soon.