The level crossings at Oakover Road, Bell Street, Cramer Street and Murray Road in Preston are being removed.
The rail line will be raised over the roads on the Mernda line, delivering new open space underneath the two-kilometre rail bridge.
A shared walking and cycling path from Oakover Road through to Murray Road will connect locals to the new stations and open spaces.
The project will also deliver new stations at Preston and Bell.
The four level crossings will be removed simultaneously to minimise disruption to the community.
Around 82,000 vehicles pass through these level crossings on the Mernda line each day, with the boom gates down for up to 40 per cent of the morning peak.
These level crossings will be removed by the end of 2022 and the open space ready for locals to enjoy in 2023.
The Preston Open Space Advisory Panel (POSAP) has now been formed. This is comprised of local community and council representatives to help shape Preston's newest open spaces.
On behalf of the Victorian Government, the Level Crossing Removal Project is overseeing the removal of 75 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne by 2025.
Current works notices
Works notice – Preston site establishment, Edith Street and Preston City Oval
Works notice – Preston site establishment, Bell Station and Railway Place East
Works notice – Preston site office establishment, Murray Road
Works notice – Preston site office establishment, Cramer Street
Current disruptions
Cramer Street, Preston – car park closures
MERNDA LINE
Up to ten on-street car parks along Cramer Street, Preston will be closed from Tuesday 29 September to Tuesday 1 December, between 7am to 6pm weekdays and 7am to 3pm on Saturdays.
Railway Reserve Bike Path, Preston – path closure
MERNDA LINE
The Railway Reserve Bike Path will be closed from Wednesday 30 September to Wednesday 25 November between 7am and 6pm weekdays and 7am and 3pm Saturdays.
Murray Road, Preston – changed traffic conditions
MERNDA LINE
There will be reduced speed limits and traffic management in place on Murray Road, Spring Street and St Georges Road, Preston from Wednesday 30 September to Wednesday 25 November, between 7am and 6pm weekdays and 7am and 3pm Saturdays.
Railway Place East, Preston – lane closure
MERNDA LINE
There will be one-way southbound vehicle access on Railway Place East, between Esther Street, Oakover Road and Miller Street from Monday 26 October 2020 to late 2022.
Showers Street, Preston – pedestrian crossing closure
MERNDA LINE
The Showers Street, Preston pedestrian crossing will be closed from Monday 26 October 2020 to late 2022.
Bell Station – car park closure
MERNDA LINE
Bell Station car park will be closed from Monday 9 November 2020 to late 2022.
News
Featured video
Preston, here are your two new stations
We're building new Bell and Preston stations.
Image gallery
New Bell and Preston Station designs
Artist impressions of the new Bell and Preston stations.
04 Oct 2020
Publications
Works notice – Preston site establishment, Edith Street and Preston City Oval
20 Oct 2020Preliminary works ahead of site establishment will begin on Tuesday 20 October 2020 and continue until late-December 2020.
Works notice – Preston site establishment, Bell Station and Railway Place East
19 Oct 2020Preston site establishment works will begin on Monday 19 October 2020 and continue until late December 2020.
Map
Oakover Road, Preston
Current events
Preston Open Space community drop-in sessions
Based on current health advice our upcoming Preston Open Space community info sessions have been cancelled. There are a number of ways you can still engage with us. Find out more here.
28 Mar 2020
Find out more