First look at Bedford Road level crossing removal design

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Early concept designs have been released for the Bedford Road Level Crossing Removal Project, which will reduce congestion and improve safety in Ringwood by taking trains underneath the road via a 380-metre rail trench.

Boom gates at the site are down for 23 minutes during the morning peak and causing traffic chaos for the 13,500 vehicles that use the crossing every day, including families travelling to local schools.

Other design solutions, such as elevating the rail line, would have impacted more properties and required more road and rail disruptions during construction.

Our project team will continue site investigations and community engagement at Bedford Road throughout 2022, with major construction to start in 2023 and the boom gates gone for good by 2025.

Local feedback sought

Local residents have also been given the chance to provide feedback on designs for screens that will be installed where the road crosses the trench and landscaping at a revitalised Bedford Park entry.

For more information on how to have your say, visit Engage Victoria by 11.59pm Sunday 27 March.

Improving safety on the Lilydale and Belgrave lines

The Bedford Road level crossing removal was one of 4 additional projects on the Lilydale and Belgrave lines announced by the Victorian Government in 2021, which also included Coolstore Road in Croydon, Dublin Road in Ringwood East and Cave Hill Road in Lilydale.

In total, 12 level crossings will be removed on the Lilydale and Belgrave lines, with 6 already gone for good and 2 underway at Union Road, Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert.

This will make the Lilydale Line level crossing free by 2025 and the Belgrave Line level crossing free between Ferntree Gully and the city.

Across the state, 85 level crossings will be removed by 2025 – with 58 already gone for good – improving safety and reducing congestion in Melbourne’s suburbs.

Video

Level Crossing Removal