The Allan Labor Government is delivering a new shared use path in Dandenong South to boost connections throughout the area and provide pedestrians and cyclists with safer, easier access to local businesses.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams today announced an 800-metre new section of shared use path will be constructed on the eastern side of South Gippsland Highway, between Dandenong Bypass and Hallam Valley Road, linking to the surrounding path network.
Extending the shared use path along the busy highway will boost safety and improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists and benefit local businesses on Hallam Valley Road by enabling more workers to walk or cycle to their work and connect to local bus services.
The works are part of the Progress Street level crossing removal project, with the crossing permanently closed in June and a new road bridge built south of the rail line to connect Progress Street to Fowler Road.
Getting rid of this dangerous level crossing - the scene of five near misses - has removed the risk of further incidents between heavy vehicles and trains, and eliminated significant boom gate wait times, which would have been even longer when more trains start to run on the Pakenham Line in the future.
Following community consultation, the project scope was expanded to include indented parking, a footpath along Fowler Road, reduced speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour and improved lighting - ensuring the upgrades meet local needs and improve safety and accessibility across the precinct.
As part of the project, a footpath will be built along the south side of Fowler Road to connect to the new road bridge and South Gippsland Highway, delivered in partnership with Greater Dandenong City Council.
A new signalised intersection at Fowler Road to South Gippsland Highway opened in July, improving safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. Additional project safety upgrades include new street lighting, a reduced 50km/h speed limit and indented parking on Fowler Road to increase the driveable width from approximately 8m to 10m.
Crews are now carrying out finishing works and landscaping, planting more than 1600 trees, shrubs and grasses across the precinct.
The new South Gippsland Highway shared use path will be delivered in partnership with Greater Dandenong City Council and is expected to open to the community in mid-2026.
The Pakenham Line will be boom gate free in 2025, boosting safety and reducing congestion and getting the line ready for Metro Tunnel.
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Willams
"A new shared use path on South Gippsland Highway and a new footpath along Fowler Road is a big win for our community and local businesses - making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists to move through the area."
"The dangerous Progress Street level crossing is one of eight to go in the Greater Dandenong City Council area, making journeys safer and slashing close to six hours of boom gate down time each day in the morning peak."
