News | 07 December

The Allan Labor Government will make the Lilydale Line the first rail line to become boom gate free – with a construction blitz set to build two new stations and remove four more dangerous and congested level crossings.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson today announced the last three level crossings along the Lilydale Line will be removed a year ahead of schedule, with works to ramp up in early 2024.

The remaining level crossings to be removed are at Coolstore Road in Croydon, Dublin Road in Ringwood East, and Cave Hill Road in Lilydale, while a level crossing at Bedford Road in Ringwood will also be removed – making the Belgrave line boom-gate free between the city and Ferntree Gully.

Between 30 January and April 2024, crews will work around the clock to replace the Bedford Road level crossing with a 380-metre trench to take trains underneath the road, with buses replacing trains on sections of the Lilydale and Belgrave lines during this time, and Bedford Road to close to traffic for around two months.

Construction will continue at Dublin Road, with crews digging the 650-metre rail trench and building the new Ringwood East Station – making Ringwood boom gate free and unclogging the roads for the 23,000 vehicles that travel through the crossings every day.

In Croydon, works to remove the Coolstore Road boom gates will progress from 30 January 2024, with the new Croydon Station expected to open by spring 2024. Works to build a new pedestrian underpass at Cave Hill Road will also start in the coming weeks, with the road closed at the level crossing from 24 January 2024.

Since 2016, eight level crossings have been removed from the Belgrave and Lilydale Line and five new stations built, transforming the way more than 72,000 passengers travel on Melbourne’s second busiest rail network.

The Labor Government is removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings by 2030, with 73 already gone for good, boosting safety and easing congestion. Passengers are encouraged to plan ahead while works are underway. To keep updated, visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au.

Quote attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan

“Getting rid of another four dangerous level crossings and building two new stations a year ahead of schedule is a huge milestone for Melbourne’s outer east – we’re getting on with the job of building better transport services, easing congestion and getting Victorians home sooner.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson

“We’re thrilled the Lilydale Line will be the first line to become boom gate-free a year early in 2024 – transforming the way people move in the outer east.”

Quote attributable to Member for North-Eastern Metropolitan Region Shaun Leane

“The early removal of the dangerous and congested level crossings at Bedford and Dublin roads will allow Ringwood to become level crossing free – unclogging local roads and making the area safer.”

Quote attributable to Member for North-Eastern Metropolitan Region Sonja Terpstra

“Early completion of Croydon’s new world-class transport hub will be welcomed by the community, with the project set to transform the town centre by making it easier to access shops and services.”

Media contact: Lily King 0432 279 396 | lily.king@minstaff.vic.gov.au

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