Level crossing works to cause pain for Victorian commuters

Major works across rail lines, tram routes and freeways will create massive delays for Victorian commuters this autumn.

Victorians can expect massive delays this autumn, as the government races to remove 85 level crossings by 2025.

Over the next three months, major works will take place across metropolitan and regional rail lines, tram routes and major freeways including the Monash Freeway, West Gate Freeway and the M80 Ring Road.

Two level crossings will be removed, two new stations will be built and a landmark bridge over the Murray River connecting Echuca and Moama will open to traffic.

The 60th level crossing in Glenroy will be removed in May while the crossing at Hallam is set to go by April.

Construction will also continue at 16 level crossing sites across Melbourne.

Over the next three months, major works will take place across metropolitan and regional rail lines, tram routes and major freeways. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Buses will replace trains on sections of the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines in March to allow crews to construct the elevated rail bridge and a new station at Hallam.

Buses will also be in operation on the Craigieburn and Seymour lines from late April for 10 days as the rail line is dropped under the road, and the new station is completed at Glenroy.

As work to complete 36 kilometres of new lanes on the Monash Freeway continues, there will be daytime lane closures and overnight closures in place along sections of the freeway between Warrigal Road and Cardinia Road.

In Cranbourne, a two-week construction program will commence from mid-March as roundabouts are replaced with traffic lights to better manage traffic flow between Ballarto and Cranbourne-Frankston roads on Western Port Highway.

In Melbourne’s north, crews will complete 11 months of work in just over eight weeks to remove the Mickleham Road roundabout and one of Craigieburn Road’s worst bottlenecks.

The nearby M80 Ring Road will close Greensborough-bound between Sydney and Edgars roads from next weekend for asphalting as part of upgrade works to add new lanes.

In Melbourne’s west, 70 per cent of the West Gate Freeway widening is now complete. As works continue, Williamstown Road under the the freeway will close in both directions most nights throughout March and early April.

On the tram network, maintenance will take place across four routes. Picture: David Caird

On the freeway, the speed limit will be reduced to 60km/h for 900 metres on the approach to the Williamstown Road inbound exit ramps until the end of 2023. This will ensure works can continue safely as progress steps up around the inbound tunnel entry.

On the tram network, maintenance will take place across four routes including replacing nearly 1400 metres of track along Malvern Road affecting Route 72 trams for two weeks from 30 April.

Malvern Road will close in sections during this time for bridge strengthening works at Malvern and Orrong Roads.

Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll said the project will “support thousands of jobs at a time (the) economy needs it most”.

“We thank passengers and motorists for their patience as we get on with the projects that will deliver faster travel times and more reliable journeys,” Mr Carroll said.

“It will be another massive year with 11 level crossings going for good as we race towards removing 85 level crossings by 2025,” Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said.

Motorists are asked to plan ahead for local road closures during this time.

For more information about planned disruptions over autumn visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au