Level crossing removal works are ramping up at Ferris Road in Melton, with piling complete and concrete poured to form the foundations of the new road bridge set to open next year.
Two piling rigs weighing up to 100 tonnes were used to dig 25 piles north and south of the level crossing.
More than 70 tonnes of steel reinforcement has been installed inside the concrete piles, which will act as supports for the new road bridge.
Crews have also been busy building the road bridge embankments, with 12,500 tonnes of earth moved so far, and over the coming months will construct retaining walls made from reinforced soil and install more than 600 reinforced concrete panels to support the weight of the new bridge.
According to the government, removing the level crossing by building a new road bridge over the rail line is aimed at making journeys safer and providing more reliable travel times for the thousands of vehicles that travel through the crossing every day – which experience delays of up to 28 minutes in the morning peak when 16 trains travel through the crossing.
The Ferris Road level crossing is set to be removed and the new road bridge opened to traffic next year.
Another three level crossings will be removed next year at Coburns and Exford roads in Melton and at Hopkins Road in Truganina.
