Two new Victorian road connections are now open to motorists following level crossing removal works that have improved safety and traffic flow.
A new signalised intersection connecting Fowler Road and South Gippsland Highway has opened to traffic, improving safety and traffic flow in Dandenong South.
Additionally, a new road connection in Diggers Rest has opened a week ahead of schedule, following a month-long works blitz to improve traffic flow and enable vehicles to safely travel across the new Golden Way road bridge over the rail line.
The new intersection at Fowler Road and South Gippsland Higwhay has been designed to safely accommodate oversized and overmass vehicles travelling through the industrial precinct, with traffic lights improving access for vehicles turning from Fowler Road onto South Gippsland Highway.
South Gippsland Highway has also reopened to traffic, three days earlier than planned, following works to reconfigure the intersection and install traffic signals.
Access will also be maintained via Hallam Valley Road, while works continue over the coming months to build indented parking along Fowler Road.
Indenting on-street parking allows a greater drivable width, making it easier and safer for vehicles on Fowler Road.
Other project safety features include improved street lighting, reducing the speed limit to 40km/h, and a new footpath along Fowler Road, built in partnership with Greater Dandenong City Council.
The dangerous Progress Street level crossing permanently closed in June, with the new road bridge connecting Progress Street to Fowler Road south of the rail line, providing businesses with safer access to South Gippsland Highway.
Buses will replace trains on sections of the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines from Friday 1 August until Thursday 14 August for works along the line, and to safely allow crews to remove remaining infrastructure at the former level crossing.
The Pakenham Line will be level crossing free in 2025, with 22 dangerous level crossings gone for good, boosting safety and reducing congestion.
The upgraded section of road linking Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road to Old Calder Highway has reopened to traffic after temporarily closing for works in June following the removal of the Old Calder Highway level crossing and road bridge opening.
During the construction blitz, crews worked to realign the road connection west of the rail line, completing drainage, asphalting and landscaping works, and installing new kerbs, footpaths and lighting.
About 30 car parking spaces in the station’s western car park that were temporarily closed to enable the works have been reinstated, and the 483 bus route has resumed its regular route, with stops on Welcome Road now reopened.
Pedestrians can now also cross Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road to access the station, using the zebra crossing.
With traffic now flowing safely through the area, crews will build a new landscaped forecourt east of Diggers Rest Station and complete drainage works on Old Calder Highway.
Works are also continuing to build the new Watsons Road bridge over the rail line, set to open to traffic later this year.
More than 8,000 vehicles used the Watson Road and Old Calder Highway level crossings every day, facing delays of up to 36 minutes when 27 trains travelled through the crossings in the morning peak.
The removal of the Old Calder Highway level crossing marked the 86th level crossing removal across Melbourne, boosting safety and easing congestion.
