Major Projects & Infrastructure, Passenger Rail

Pedestrian underpass for Lilydale

Designs have now been released for a new pedestrian underpass in Lilydale, just northeast of Melbourne, which will aim to provide a safer connection across the rail line.

The new pedestrian underpass follows the closure of the level crossing at Cave Hill Road, with plans to make the Lilydale Line boom-gate free.

The Cave Hill Road level crossing closure was one of four additional projects on the Lilydale and Belgrave lines announced by the Victorian Government in 2021, which also included Coolstore Road in Croydon, Dublin Road in Ringwood East and Bedford Road in Ringwood.

In total, 12 level crossings will be removed on the Lilydale and Belgrave lines, with six already gone for good and two underway in Surrey Hills and Mont Albert.

The new five-metre-wide underpass, with stairs and ramps, will also connect to future walking and cycling paths as part of development in the area. This includes connections to the south through the planned Kinley Estate and north, to the new Lilydale Station and Warburton Rail Trail.

The selected design will also provide access to Lilydale High School car parks and bus stops, local sports fields, and businesses on Melba Avenue.

Early works will start in 2023 and in 2025, the level crossing will be gone, and the Lilydale Line will be level crossing-free.