Asphalting of the road bridge in the heart of Diggers Rest in Victoria is underway as crews enter the final stages of removing the level crossing at Old Calder Highway.
The “dangerous and congested” level crossings at the Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road are being removed and replaced with new road bridges that will take vehicles over the rail line, which the Victorian Government said will improve safety and ease congestion.
Crews at Old Calder Highway have already completed structural works on the 360m long bridge, which will connect to Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road, taking traffic across the rail line south of Stan Payne Reserve.
Over the coming weeks, more than 2700 tonnes of asphalt will be laid on the bridge’s 3062 square metre surface.
Crews will also finish painting the bridge’s retaining walls, pylons and concrete road barriers ahead of its opening next month.
The road bridge will open to traffic on Wednesday 18 June, and Old Calder Highway will close at the level crossing.
Old Calder Highway will then close between the level crossing and Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road until Monday 21 July to allow works to permanently close the road at the level crossing.
The road bridge at Watsons Road is also starting to take shape, with 570 concrete panels being installed to form the retaining walls of the bridge.
Structural work continues east and west of the rail line, with concrete pours completed on the east bridge abutment and central pier, and steel fixing completed on the west bridge abutment.
Watsons Road will include a separated pedestrian path to enable connections for future residential development north of Diggers Rest.
“Removing the 2 level crossings will make Diggers Rest – and the Sunbury Line – level crossing free this year, improving safety and easing congestion on local roads,” said a government spokesperson.
In total, the Level Crossing Removal Project is removing 110 level crossings by 2030, with 85 already gone for good.
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