The Allan Labor Government is getting on improving transport connections and safety in Melbourne's inner west, releasing the final designs for the Newport level crossing removal project.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams today released designs for new rail bridges that will carry passenger and freight trains over Maddox Road, along with a new pedestrian and cycling bridge at Champion Road.
Shaped by community feedback, the final designs showcase Newport's natural beauty and industrial heritage while improving safety and connectivity - including a right-turn lane for cyclists on Maddox Road.
The Maddox Road rail bridge celebrates the foreshore and wetlands with coastal-inspired curves and soft blue-green screens, while the Champion Road bridge features imagery of the historic Newport Railway Workshops and Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve.
Designs for improvements to local open space are still being developed, with more information to be shared next year. Once complete, the project will deliver around 145 large trees and more than 35,000 plants, shrubs and grasses planted throughout the area.
Major works are ramping up this month, with buses to replace trains on sections of the Werribee Line from Thursday, 13 November to Sunday, 16 November.
To keep trains running and avoid a months-long complete shutdown, services will run on a single track between Laverton and Newport from Monday 17 November until late April next year.
Citybound services will run express from Laverton to Newport and outbound services will stop all stations via Altona, Westona and Seaholme on the Altona Loop.
Passengers travelling to the city from Altona, Westona and Seaholme can travel by shuttle bus to Newport Station, or by train to Laverton Station, where they can continue their journey to the city by train. We thank the community for their patience while these arrangements are in place.
The dangerous Maddox and Champion Road level crossings will be gone next year, with Akuna Drive being connected to Maddox Road to provide a convenient route for local motorists.
Across Melbourne, the Labor Government is removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings and making the Werribee Line level crossing free by 2030 - with 87 already gone for good.
The final designs can be viewed at levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/newport.
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams
"We're getting rid of the two level crossings in Newport, delivering safer and more accessible connections."
"With major works ramping up this month, we're one step closer to a level crossing free Werribee Line by 2030."
