Boom gates gone, major works underway in Diggers Rest

Bells will never again ring out over Watsons Road, Diggers Rest following the removal of boom gates during a 24/7 construction blitz to remove two level crossings.

Crews are working around the clock to move services in the rail corridor and complete site establishment at Watsons Road, while the new road bridge is taking shape at the Old Calder Highway following the installation of 42 giant bridge beams.

The beams measure up to 31 metres long and weigh up to 73 tonnes, and form the new Old Calder Highway bridge, which will connect the highway to Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road.

Both level crossings are being removed by building a road bridge over the rail line, which will permanently separate vehicles and trains, improving safety and easing congestion in the heart of Diggers Rest.

More than 8000 vehicles use the two level crossings every day, with 27 trains travelling through the boom gates during the morning peak, creating 36 minutes of boom gate down time.

The bridge at Old Calder Highway will include a raised bike path and will permanently separate vehicles and trains, easing congestion in the heart of Diggers Rest and improving safety.

At Watsons Road, the bridge will include a raised pedestrian path that will provide connections to future developments north of Diggers Rest.

Removing the level crossings will take the Sunbury Line one step closer to being level crossing free in 2025, changing the way people live, work and travel.

In total the Victorian Government is removing 110 level crossings by 2030, with 84 already gone for good.