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 night works
Works notice – site establishment and traffic changes on Edith Street, Preston
Works notice – site establishment and traffic changes on Railway Place West, Preston
Works notice – temporary closure of Railway Place East, Preston
Works notice – Preston Level Crossing Removal Project, service investigation works
Works notice – Preston Level Crossing Removal Project, rail communications upgrades
Works notice – Parker Street, Preston - changes to parking
Current disruptions
Railway Reserve Bike Path, Preston – shared use path closure
MERNDA LINE
The Railway Reserve Bike Path will be closed intermittently from Wednesday 30 September 2020 to late 2022.
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 – car park closures
MERNDA LINE
There will be car park closures around the Preston Station precinct, including the western and eastern station car parks 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 – car park closures
MERNDA LINE
There will be car park closures at 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 2021 to late 2022.
Parker Street, Preston – car parking changes
MERNDA LINE
The northern side of Parker Street and the eastern side of Taunton Avenue will be made a No Parking Zone from Tuesday 16 February to mid March.
Cramer Street, Preston – lane and footpath closures
MERNDA LINE
The slow lane on Cramer Street, Preston will be closed between St Georges Road and the level crossing from 7am Wednesday 7 April to 6pm Friday 30 April. The northern pedestrian footpath will also be closed.
Coulson Reserve, Clifton Hill – pedestrian detours
MERNDA LINE
Minor pedestrian detours will be in place within Coulson Reserve from Sunday 11 April until Wednesday 14 April 2021.
Cramer Street, Preston – level crossing closure
MERNDA LINE
Cramer Street, Preston is closed to traffic at the level crossing from 8pm Wednesday 5 May to 6am Friday 7 May and from 7am Friday 7 May to 6am Saturday 8 May.
Mernda line – buses replace trains
MERNDA LINE
Buses replace trains on the Mernda line between Clifton Hill and Reservoir from 8.15pm Wednesday 5 May to last service Tuesday 11 May.
Oakover Road, Preston – level crossing closure
MERNDA LINE
Oakover Road, Preston will be closed to traffic at the level crossing from 7am Thursday 6 May to 7pm Sunday 9 May.
Murray Road, Preston – level crossing closure
MERNDA LINE
Murray Road, Preston will be closed to traffic at the level crossing from 7am Friday 7 May to 6am Saturday 8 May (intermittent closure) and 6am Saturday 8 May to 7pm Sunday 9 May (full closure).
News
Featured video
Preston major works start now
Major works to remove four level crossings in Preston have started!
Image gallery
Preston – February 2021
Progress images from works to remove four level crossings in Preston.
28 Feb 2021
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
Publications
Works notice – Coulson Reserve, Clifton Hill, signalling and communications works
01 Apr 2021The Preston Level Crossing Removal Project will be carrying out signalling and communications works within Coulson Reserve, Clifton Hill, from Sunday 11 April until Wednesday 14 April 2021.
Bell Station overview and FAQs
01 Apr 2021The Level Crossing Removal Project is removing four level crossings and building two new stations in Preston. These are some of our frequently asked questions.