The Victorian Government has fast tracked the removal of the dangerous and congested level crossing at Fitzgerald Road, Ardeer.

A road bridge is the confirmed design for the project, which is set for completion by 2023.

Two other crossings at Robinsons Road and Mt Derrimut Road in Deer Park will also be removed along the Geelong and Ballarat lines.

The boom gates in Deer Park and Ardeer can be down for up to 45% of the morning peak, when up to 37 trains run through the crossings. There has been one serious collision at these sites since 2005, and 18 near misses since 2012.

The Fitzgerald Road bridge will shorten the construction timeframe and reduce the impact on train services.

It will also cut travel times, improve connections across all modes of transport, enhance safety and liveability in the area, and support the local economy and jobs.

Construction will start in early 2021 at both Fitzgerald Road and Robinsons Road, which will also be removed by 2023.

Preparing for the future

As Melbourne continues to grow, we need to ensure our road and rail infrastructure can meet the extra demand, while also improving existing safety and congestion issues many of us face in our daily commute.

The level crossing at Mt Derrimut Road will be removed by 2025, allowing Mt Derrimut Road to be used as a detour route during construction at Fitzgerald and Robinsons roads.

Why the Fitzgerald Road level crossing needs to go

• improved safety for pedestrians and road users
• a more reliable road network
• stimulates economic growth by creating hundreds of jobs
• better connections and travel times
• opportunities for future transport upgrades

Why a road over rail?

Each level crossing has its own set of characteristics to consider when preparing to remove it. We use several criteria to decide if a design should be investigated.

Environmental, technical and community considerations all contribute to the design process.

There are 4 designs for removing a level crossing:

• rail over road
• rail under road
• road over rail
• road under rail

A hybrid design can also be considered in addition to these 4 basic designs.

We looked at a range of factors influencing the local community and wider transport networks while assessing options for Fitzgerald Road.

The road over rail option was chosen for the following reasons:

• Less disruption – other design options would have resulted in a longer construction time with more rail and road closures.
• Better connections for locals – a road bridge provides improved connections for road users, pedestrians, and cyclists on either side of the rail line.
• Urban design improvements – a road bridge creates opportunities to enhance the local area, through landscaping and the finishes used on the bridge.
• Future infrastructure improvements – a road bridge will allow for future upgrades of nearby roads and the Geelong–Ballarat line duplication.

Understanding the site

We’ve already undertaken some preliminary works in the area, including:

• geotechnical investigations: testing water and ground conditions
• service investigations: locating water, sewerage, electricity, gas, and telecommunication service pipes.
• survey investigations: identifying local topography and landmarks.
• environmental studies: investigating local flora, fauna, and nearby environmental features.
• noise assessment: measuring existing noise levels along the rail lines and surrounding area.

Further investigations are needed to refine the technical aspects of the road bridge design. You may notice some machinery and workers in the area while this is happening.

Planning approvals

Planning approval for this project will proceed under Clause 52.03 – Level Crossing Removal Project of the Brimbank Planning Scheme.

We are seeking community feedback on a range of planning matters, including:

• construction-related impacts
• environmental impacts
• amenity impacts
• native vegetation
• heritage.

The consultation period is now open, and we would like to provide you with the chance to formally submit your feedback.

All feedback received will be included in a public consultation summary report. This report will inform the Minister for Planning’s assessment of the project under Clause 52.03.

Planning submissions can be made online at Engage Victoria until 5pm Thursday 6 August. If you would like a hard copy submission form sent to you, please contact us on 1800 105 105 or email us at contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

Leave your feedback online

Help us achieve the best outcome for Ardeer by sharing your thoughts on selected parts of the design, including landscaping, walking and cycling connections and finishes to be used on the road bridge.

While there are some site constraints that will influence the final design, we want to know what you value about the local area and how you move around it.

Visit us online at Engage Victoria to learn more and provide your feedback by 5pm Friday 7 August.

Project timeline

Please note that the timeline above is subject to change.

Health and safety

The health and safety of our workers and community is our key priority as we continue works on Fitzgerald Road.

For information about coronavirus, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au

Who we are

The Level Crossing Removal Project was established by the Victorian Government to oversee one of the largest rail infrastructure projects in the state's history.

We are part of the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority and our projects fall under Victoria's Big Build.

Central to the project is the elimination of 75 level crossings across metropolitan Melbourne by 2025, in addition to other rail network upgrades such as new rail stations, track duplication and train stabling yards.