Croydon’s new rail bridge is quickly taking shape, as works ramp up to remove the Coolstore Road level crossing and build the new Croydon Station and transport hub.
The first of 88 L-beams were lifted into place overnight last week, marking a major milestone for the project and providing an exciting spectacle for locals who braved a chilly autumn evening to watch.
Weighing up to 120 tonnes and measuring up to 31 metres long, the beams were delivered from Laverton the night before and needed 2 giant cranes to lift and position them on top of the crossheads that support the rail bridge.
As well as viewing the lift, locals took the opportunity to listen to an engineering talk by the project team and enjoy a coffee and a treat supplied by the Victoria’s big build team, courtesy of a local trader.
From Monday 15 April, Coolstore Road will close at the level crossing to allow the team to install the giant L-beams over the road and continue to install 12 Super T-beams that will support the rail bridge and elevated station platforms.
Detours will be in place to help vehicles and pedestrians to safely move around the area.
When works are complete, new road connections will see Coolstore Road continue into Main Street, and a signalised intersection provide direct links between Wicklow Avenue, Croydon Road, Kent Avenue and Lacey Street. A new intersection at Wicklow Avenue and Devon Street will also provide another safe way to cross the rail line.
The new road connections linking Croydon’s town centre will open by spring, with the Coolstore Road level crossing gone, and a new Croydon Station open.
Removing the remaining three sets of boom gates at Coolstore Road, Croydon, Dublin Road, Ringwood East and Cave Hill Road, Lilydale, will make the Lilydale Line level crossing free in 2024 – a year ahead of schedule.
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