Design options considered

Each level crossing has its own set of characteristics to consider when preparing to remove it. Technical, environmental and community factors all contribute to the design process.

In 2018, the Level Crossing Removal Project developed and applied a framework to prioritise future level crossing removals.

This information was used by the Victorian Government to announce 25 level crossings to be removed by 2025, in addition to the 50 announced in 2014. These level crossings include Fitzgerald Road.

A preliminary assessment was undertaken for each site, including Fitzgerald Road, to identify a recommended design, based on engineering requirements and site conditions.

The biggest constraint at Fitzgerald Road is the Western Ring Road (M80), which borders the site to the west. Our engineers have responded with a road bridge design that delivers the safest and most convenient new route across the rail line.

Road over rail

Raising the road over the rail line will:

• avoid impacting on the Western Ring Road, and the need for major reinforcement works on the Tilburn Road Bridge
• be up to 12 months faster to build than some other options, with significantly less disruption to road users and passengers on the Geelong and Ballarat lines
• require fewer underground services to be relocated
• allow for future upgrades to the Geelong and Ballarat lines
• impact less on nearby properties during construction.

The following design options were assessed and ruled out because their impacts would be greater than the confirmed road bridge solution.

Rail under road

Lowering the rail line under the road would:

• impact heavily on the Western Ring Road, with major works required to reinforce the Tilburn Road Bridge
• take 12 months longer to build, with significant added disruption to road users and passengers on the Geelong and Ballarat lines
• require additional underground services to be relocated
• affect proposed future upgrades to this important regional rail corridor.

Rail over road

Raising the rail line over the bridge would:

• not be feasible at this location given the proximity of the level crossing to the Western Ring Road. A rail bridge would need to pass over the Tilburn Road Bridge, requiring a structure of immense size and scale.

Road under rail

A road underpass would:

• require major excavation close to embankments supporting the Tilburn Road Bridge, potentially compromising the integrity of the Western Ring Road
• require additional underground services to be relocated
• take longer to build, with added disruption to road users and passengers on the Geelong and Ballarat lines
• impact more on nearby properties during construction.