Elsie Lange
Sunbury’s Gap Road will be closed between Evans and Horne streets from late May until late 2022 while the level crossing is removed.
At a press conference in Sunbury today, Transport Minister Jacinta Allan and Sunbury MP Josh Bull announced the closure, starting Monday, May 30, which will allow for crews to remove the boom gate and build the new rail bridge and road underpass.
From June 3 to 29, buses and coaches will replace trains on parts of the Sunbury, Bendigo, Echuca and Swan HIll lines, with Gap Road to remain closed to traffic for up to another three months while crews excavate 25,000 cubic metres of soil and build the road underpass.
“Locals know how frustrating and dangerous the Gap Road level crossing is – getting rid of it will deliver huge benefits for our growing community,” Mr Bull said.
A state government statement said motorists will be rerouted over the rail line at the Macedon Street bridge and pedestrians will be able to cross at the nearby Sunbury Station overpass.
“There will be local noise, dust and road impacts, with more trucks on the roads. Anyone travelling through Sunbury should plan ahead and allow at least 15 minutes extra travel time,” the statement said.
A new shared user path will connect residents to both sides of the town and the new rail bridge will preserve the heritage-listed Sunbury Station.
“Emergency services will have satellite depots on both sides of the railway so they can get where they need to go quickly, and businesses in the Station precinct will remain open, with access retained via Horne and Evans streets,” the statement said.
In May, works will also begin on Sunbury Road between Powlett Street and Bulla Diggers Rest Road, to widen the road to four lanes.
Ms Allan said removing the “dangerous bottleneck” will make the town safer and better connect the community.
“We’re building a better Sunbury – reducing congestion, improving train services and creating local jobs,” Ms Allan said.
The works are part of the state government’s plan to remove 85 level crossing across Melbourne by 2025 – six are being removed from the Sunbury line, with three already complete.
