Major Projects & Infrastructure, Operations & Maintenance, Workforce

Level crossing works wrap up in Williamstown

 

Major works to remove a dangerous level crossing and build a new North Williamstown Station in Melbourne have wrapped up, marking the end of the Ferguson Street Level Crossing Removal Project.

The dangerous level crossing at Ferguson Street was removed by lowering the rail line under the road, making way for the new station and an upgraded precinct for the community to enjoy.

With the level crossing gone and trains and cars separated, safety has been significantly improved for the 25,000 vehicles that use the intersection daily, as well as pedestrians and cyclists.

The new North Williamstown Station and precinct are now complete, including public artwork, seating, a table tennis table, bike storage facilities and landscaped open spaces.

The new station is modernised with improved facilities, including stairs, ramps and lifts which connect passengers to lowered platforms and allow for all-ability access to trains.

Pedestrians can now access the new station via a new signalised pedestrian crossing, and cyclists can securely park their bikes in a new bike parkiteer. A four-metre-wide shared use path has also been installed through the precinct, connecting the station with key areas of Williamstown.

Artwork featuring Heavy Harry, the largest locomotive ever built in Australia, is on permanent display at North Williamstown Station. The iconic engine was manufactured in 1941 only a short walk away from the Ferguson Street level crossing.

During construction, crews dug out around 50,000 tonnes of soil, clay and tough basalt rock from under Ferguson Street and in the rail corridor – enough to fill 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Over 40,000 native plants, trees and shrubs have been planted around the station and surrounding areas, including more than 400 mature trees and over 50 different species of plants.