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) was formed to help shape three areas of open space. The project team identified these areas where POSAP could have the most influence on design to create spaces by locals for locals.
The open space concept designs are the result of online community engagement activity conducted in April 2020 and a series of meetings with POSAP between May and November 2020.
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 Level Crossing Removal Project, January works
Works notice – Preston investigation works, January
Works notice – Batman depot carpark construction
Works notice – demolition of former Girl Guides and Trugo Club buildings
Current disruptions
Preston Oval, Preston – car park closure
MERNDA LINE
The car park between the rail line and oval pavilion will be closed from Tuesday 20 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.
Preston Station precinct – car park closures
MERNDA LINE
There will be car park closures around the Preston Station precinct from Friday 6 November 2020 to late 2022.
Edith Street, Preston – car park closure
MERNDA LINE
Car parks on the eastern side of Edith Street, Preston will be closed from Monday 16 November 2020 to late 2022.
Bell Station, Preston – access changes and car park closures
MERNDA LINE
There will be access changes and car park closures around Bell Station from Tuesday 12 January 2021 to late 2022.
Bruce Street, Preston – pedestrian crossing closure
MERNDA LINE
The Bruce Street, Preston pedestrian crossing is closed from Monday 18 January to Monday 1 February.
Preston Market – overnight car park closure
MERNDA LINE
Some car parks at Preston Market will be closed for overnight works from 6pm Thursday 21 January to 7am Friday 22 January and from 6pm Wednesday 27 January to 7am Friday 29 January.
News
Featured video
Preston, here are your two new stations
We're building new Bell and Preston stations.
Image gallery
POSAP Area 2 – Miller Street to Showers Street
Concept designs for the open space that will be created under the rail line.
07 Dec 2020
POSAP Area 1 – Bell Street to Cramer Street
Concept designs for the open space that will be created under the rail line.
07 Dec 2020
Publications
Works notice – Preston Level Crossing Removal Project, January works
21 Dec 2020From Tuesday 12 January to late January 2021 we’ll be setting up site at Bell Station, which will include the installation of construction barriers, temporary fencing and site sheds.
Preston community update – December 2020
21 Dec 2020Early works have started on the Preston level crossing removals in preparation for major construction scheduled to begin in 2021.
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