Two level crossings in Diggers Rest will be gone for good in 2025 says Josh Bull, MP for Sunbury. It will make the Sunbury Line free of level crossings one year earlier than planned.
“Getting rid of these last two level crossings on the Sunbury Line will allow more trains to run more often once the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025, and clears the path for future development in this growth area. It will also improve traffic flow for the 6,300 vehicles that travel through the two level crossings daily,” says Mr Bull.
Up to 27 trains travel through these crossings during the morning peak, creating around 36 minutes of boom gate down time.
The Level Crossing Removal Project team has begun community consultation to help inform aspects of the design and provide context about the flow of traffic as well as cyclist and pedestrian movements in the area, with locals invited to share their insights into what they enjoy about the area and how they move around it.
Mr Bull also says major works are also progressing on the Sunbury Road Upgrade, with beams lifted into place to form the foundation of the new bridge at Jacksons Creek earlier this year.
“This additional creek crossing will take Sunbury Road from two to four lanes, improving the flow of traffic to emerging communities in Sunbury’s south-east. The project will reduce congestion, providing safer journeys for more than 25,000 drivers who use the road every day,” says Mr Bull.
These projects build on the Victorian Government’s $27 billion investment in transport improvements in Melbourne’s west, including the Sunbury Line Upgrade, which will make room for 113,000 extra peak hour passengers and high-capacity trains on the line.
“Combined with the Metro Tunnel it will give Sunbury Line passengers direct access to five new CBD stations, including connections to the City Loop and will allow trains to travel 100km from Sunbury to Cranbourne/Pakenham without a single level crossing.
The community is invited to provide feedback for the removal of level crossings on the Old Calder Highway and Watsons Rd via engage.vic.gov.au/lxrp-diggers-rest.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan says: “The Sunbury Line will be level crossing free by 2025 – one of six lines we’re making free of boom gates along with the Cranbourne, Pakenham, Frankston, Lilydale and Werribee lines.”
