Transport projects

Safer speed rollout on local roads

40 km/h speed limit installation

In 2023 and 2024, Merri-bek City Council has reduced all local roads with a 50 km/h speed limit to 40 km/h.

We made this change to ensure everyone in Merri-bek can walk, ride, and drive safely on our streets.

Visit our Safer speed rollout on local roads project page for more information on the rollout and a list of FAQs.

 

Transport projects

We are currently delivering the transport projects below across Merri-bek. There are many other projects we are also completing which you can find out about on our Conversations Merri-bek page or our Current projects page.

 

Level crossing removals in Merri-bek

On behalf of the Victorian Government, the Level Crossing Removal Project is removing 85 level crossings across Melbourne by 2027.

As part of the State Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project, five level crossings in the City of Merri-bek on the Upfield and Craigieburn  were removed.

A further eight level crossings will be removed on the Upfield Line – including a new elevated rail bridge from Moreland Road to Park St.

The boom gates will be removed at:

  • Albert Street, Brunswick
  • Albion Street, Brunswick
  • Brunswick Road, Brunswick
  • Dawson Street, Brunswick
  • Hope Street, Brunswick
  • Union Street, Brunswick
  • Victoria Street, Brunswick
  • Park Street, Parkville

Level Crossing Removal FAQ

  • Any of the following issues relating to the Level Crossing Removal works for Bell to Moreland and Glenroy should be reported directly to the LXRP on 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

      • Noise and disruptions
      • Landscaping and dying trees
      • Swale drainage, inundation of water and other drainage issues
      • Dog Park
      • Bicycle paths, footpaths and playgrounds
      • Active spaces including basketball courts and skate park
      • Graffiti
      • Art installations.
      • Merri-bek City Council are responsible for undertaking waste collection within the rail corridor and the maintenance of the Moreland Heritage Station public toilets.

    Any issues should be reported to our Customer Service team. Call us on 9240 1111 or contact us online.

    Glenroy Road questions and answers: Glenroy Road - Level Crossing Removal Project website

    For more information use the following contact details.

    For service disruption updates visit the Level Crossings disruptions page.

    Plan your travel on public transport using the PTV Journey Planner.

  • On behalf of the Victorian Government the following level crossings have been removed on the Upfield line.

    Bell to Moreland:

    The Bell to Moreland level crossings have been replaced by a rail over road design.

    Bell to Moreland project information

    The rail over road design has delivered new community open spaces, improved east–west connections and improvements to the Upfield Bike Path.  The four level crossings were removed all at the same time to minimise disruption to the community.

    Two new stations were built at Coburg and Moreland in 2020, while retaining and repurposing the existing heritage-listed station buildings.

    Removing these level crossings will improve congestion for vehicles that pass through the crossing’s each day as well as significantly improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. 

    Construction for this project commenced in 2019, the boom gates were removed in 2020 and the project was completed at the end of 2021.

    Bell to Moreland Project Timeline

    2018

      • Site investigations

    Mid 2018

      • Community information sessions

    Late 2018

      • Announcement of Reynard and Munro Street removal

    Mid 2019

      • Community Information Sessions to gather ideas on what the community want to see in the open space underneath the new elevated rail line along the corridor
      • New Merri-bek and Coburg station designs revealed
      • Design development on the rail under road solution

    2019

      • Open Space designs released
      • Community Information Sessions, as well as the collection of more feedback via online and in person
      • Contract signed for Bell to Merri-bek level crossing removal

    Mid 2020

      • Construction taking place on the Bell to Merri-bek project

    Late 2020

      • Boom gates removed

    2021

      • Construction completed

    On behalf of the Victorian Government the following level crossings have been removed on the Craigieburn line

    Glenroy:

    Glenroy project information

    The Level Crossing Removal Project has removed the level crossing at Glenroy Road, Glenroy by lowering the rail line under the road. The project has also delivered a new Glenroy Station. 

    Removing this level crossing will improve congestion for vehicles that pass through the crossing each day as well as significantly improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

    Glenroy Project Timeline

    2018

      • Site investigations

    2019

      • Community engagement on what's important to the Glenroy community
      • Design development on the rail under road solution

    Mid 2020

      • Further community engagement on key defined elements of the design

    Late 2020

      • Further community consultation
      • Finalise design
      • Works proposed to start

    2022

      • Level crossing removed 

  • As a key stakeholder, but not the project owner, we are not responsible for the planning or delivery of the level crossing removals.

    We continue to advocate to the Level Crossing Removal Project for the best outcomes for our community and city.

    We welcome the removal of level crossings in Merri-bek and want the projects to be well-planned, delivered to the highest quality, and constructed with the minimum amount of disruption.

      • Ongoing consultation with the Merri-bek community and Council
      • Provide adequate funding, thought and focus to the newly created ‘left under’ spaces (for example, trees and landscaping, active and passive public spaces, management and maintenance)
      • Transform the Upfield shared path (width and landscape), including separation of bike and pedestrian paths
      • Provide high quality rail channel viaducts, higher off ground (up to 7 metres high), allowing greater light penetration below and mitigating overlooking concerns
      • Continue with local heritage significance and historical interpretation
      • Community consultation on the future of Gardens at Jewel Station, including retention of as many trees as possible

     

  • Learn more

    Level Crossing Removal Authority – learn more about the Victorian State Government level crossing removal project.

     

Any noise or disruptions issues relating to the Level Crossing Removal works should be reported directly to the LXRP on 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

You can learn more about the Victorian State Government level crossing removal project on the State Government's level crossing removal website.

Reynard Street, Pascoe Vale Substation 

Department of Transport (DoT) previously called Public Transport Victoria (PTV) are in the planning stages of building a new tram power substation in Pascoe Vale.

The substation will be designed to ensure it meets all relevant operating standards and guidelines, operates safely and has minimal impacts on the local community.

The substation is classified as a minor utility under the Victorian Planning Scheme and it does not require planning approval from council. We have advocated to protect the safety of its community in regards to PTV’s project.

  • In February 2019, we wrote to PTV to express community concern over the substation, and requested further details be provided to respond to these concerns.

    We requested further information on the following:

    • The likely output of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and further details of the substation transformer
    • Design features that would contain the possible EMF levels within formally recognised safe limits
    • Concept drawings of the proposed substation, including height, setback, boundaries, construction materials, external lighting, external air conditioning units, signage and points of access
    • A report prepared by an appropriately qualified practitioner that demonstrates the substation will not result in dangerous level of EMF in neighbouring dwellings and detail the appropriate legislation and regulations that guide EMF assessments and control measures
    • An undertaking to carry out EMF monitoring in and around nearby dwellings prior to construction following the commissioning of the submission
    • Details of likely noise to be created by air-conditioning and measures to mitigate noise impacts on neighbouring properties.

    In May 2019, we commissioned an independent, accredited expert to peer review the EMF reports prepared for DoT. We also wrote to the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) seeking guidance about safe buffer zones of substations from houses.

    In October/November 2019 over a 2 week period, DoT engaged with the local community to gain feedback via an online survey and a letter distribution. 84% of respondents supported 320 Reynard St, Pascoe Vale for the best location for the new substation.

    In January 2020, as a result of the community feedback and support DoT received, 320 Reynard Street is considered the preferred location for the new substation by DoT.

    In early 2020 DoT will start designing plans for the new substation, engaging the community during the process.

    Construction of the new building will be similar to small-scale residential building developments in the area.

  • This project is delivered and coordinated by the State Government Department of Transport (DoT) previously called Public Transport Victoria (PTV). We have advocated to protect the safety of its community in regards to DoT’s project. 

    If you have a question or would like further information about this project, you can contact Department of Transport via their website.

Tram route extensions and better access to tram stops

The Victorian Government Department of Transport (DoT) is responsible for planning and building public transport infrastructure across the State.

Council is advocating to the Victorian Government to bring improved access to public transport, including bus and tram links.

Learn more about our Advocacy Priorities.

  • There are 65 tram stops in Merri-bek. Of these, only 7 provide ground level access. This means that just 10.76% of stops in Merri-bek are Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant, or accessible to people with mobility issues.

    Route 19 (Sydney Road), 20  tram stops do not provide level access. With Sydney Road being a significant retail precinct with high pedestrian numbers, Council is advocating that the State Government prioritise route 19 for level access stops.

    Learn more about Council’s advocacy for accessible tram stops.

  • At the August 2022 Council Meeting, Council resolved to advocate for a ‘Tram Link’ shuttle bus service to significantly increase frequency and operational hours of bus route 531 to align with the operation of tram route 19.

    The key benefits of upgrading route 531 to the shuttle service include:

    • The equivalent of an extension of the route 19 tram service in a cost effective and timely manner.
    • An effective transit link to address some of the urban population growth in the corridor.
    • Direct and frequent access to high quality east/west bus services for Fawkner and other residents on/near Sydney Road.
    • Reliable access to employment in the Campbellfield industrial area.
    • A reliable means of returning home for Fawkner and other residents on the occasions the Upfield Train Line has unscheduled cancellations north of Coburg.
    • Reduced traffic congestion on Sydney Road.
    • An effective increase of public transport services in the Upfield transport corridor.
    • An interim service measure that addresses a service shortfall caused by the absence of a railway station at Campbellfield.
    • Providing a high-quality transit “spine” on Sydney Road that enables other Fawkner bus services to be considered for the provision of direct east west oriented transport connections that connect to Glenroy and Merlynston Railway Stations.

  • This tram route runs from Flinders Street Railway Station to the terminus on Sydney Road at Bakers Road, Coburg North and  is 10km in length.

    Over recent years there has been some community support to extend this tram route northwards. To improve the quality and scale of public transport services for Fawkner residents. 

    Unfortunately there are some key challenges that don’t easily support this proposal, including:

    • The centre median in Sydney Road, between Boundary Road and the Western Ring Road is encumbered with a significant amount of native vegetation and a large interstate gas main.
    • The presence of the gas main means that the State Government is unlikely to support works, such as a dedicated tramway, within the centre median.

  • This tram has a route of 18km, running between Toorak and Melville Road at Bell Street, via Royal Park and the Melbourne major hospital precinct.

    An independent study commissioned by Council in 2018 found that creating an alignment that allowed the tram to extend north over Bell Street would require the acquisition of at least 10 commercial and industrial properties. At current values, this would be in the order of $15 to 20 million. Traffic volumes and the regional transport significance along Bell Street mean it is unlikely that this particular proposal would receive support at a State level.