Designs have been confirmed to remove level crossings at Old Geelong Road in Hoppers Crossing and Werribee Street in Werribee, with work set to get underway by mid-year.

The Andrews Labor Government today announced a combined $355.5 million package to deliver these works, that will further ease congestion and improve safety in the area.

Designs have been completed on a new road bridge to remove the Old Geelong Road level crossing and a rail bridge to remove the Werribee Street level crossing.

At Hoppers Crossing, the new road bridge will be built closer to the city, creating a direct link to the Princes Freeway. The existing Old Geelong Road crossing will be closed to traffic, with a new overpass and forecourt built near Hoppers Crossing Station to create a safe, pedestrian-friendly public transport and shopping precinct.

At Werribee Street, a rail bridge will cater to the existing tracks and allow for future growth, like the planned Suburban Rail Loop network improvements which will connect Wyndham Vale and Werribee.

Raising the rail line between the Werribee Racecourse and Werribee River will create new open space – while a temporary track will be built to ensure important freight services can continue to run during construction.

The project team will continue to provide updates on the revised designs to the community in the coming weeks, ahead of construction getting underway by mid-2020.

In partnership with the Level Crossing Removal Project, McConnell Dowell, Arup, Mott MacDonald and Metro Trains Melbourne have been awarded the contract to deliver the work. This alliance has removed three level crossings across Melbourne, most recently completing a new road bridge in Laverton to remove the Aviation Road crossing.

These designs follow the announcement of the new road bridge that will remove the Cherry Street level crossing in Werribee, to be constructed between Tarneit Road and the Princes Highway.

All three designs in the area minimise road and rail disruptions during construction, and all three level crossings will be gone for good in 2022.

For more information and to sign up for email updates, please visit www.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“We’re removing all three level crossings in Wyndham to create benefits now and into the future – incorporating community areas into the designs to keep Wyndham people connected.”

“We’re keeping the west moving while we do these important works – including temporary tracks so vital freight services can keep running during construction.”

Quote attributable to Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly

“We know how important good access is to Hoppers Crossing Station and local businesses, which is why we’re building a new pedestrian overpass to make the precinct safer and more accessible for those on foot or on their bike.”

Quote attributable to Member for Western Metropolitan Kaushaliya Vaghela

“Commuters using Old Geelong Road and Werribee Street are often stuck in long queues while the boom gates are down. These works will make those dangerous bottlenecks a thing of the past.”