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Transport projects

Safer speed rollout on local roads

40 km/h speed limit installation

Merri-bek City Council has received approval from the Department of Transport and Planning to reduce all local roads with a 50 km/h speed limit to 40 km/h.

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

Follow our Safer speed rollout on local roads project page for updates on the rollout, the various stage maps and a list of FAQs.

Improvements to walking and cycling in Merri-bek

The Victorian COVID-19 state of emergency is impacting the way we travel and move around. As we emerge from COVID-19 restrictions and beyond, we want to make it easier for our community to get around local neighbourhoods by walking and cycling.

Our goals are to:

  • Encourage local trips to jobs, services and facilities by walking and cycling.
  • Make cycling safe, comfortable (especially for those who are less confident), and a preferred mode of travel in Merri-bek.
  • Establish high-quality pedestrian routes and places that are safe, comfortable and accessible.
  • Create efficient routes that will cater to social distancing requirements.
  • Avoid a significant increase in congestion on our roads as COVID-19 restrictions ease and public transport is still running at reduced capacity.
  • Promote physical and mental health.

In July 2020 we allocated an additional $1.68 million in the 2020/2021 budget toward trial and permanent projects aimed at improving walking and cycling infrastructure in Merri-bek. These trial projects will help us achieve our goals.

This includes:

  • new zebra crossings and pedestrian thresholds
  • implementing trial bike lanes
  • seeking Department of Transport approval to trial shared zones and introduce right-turn bans at key intersections on tram corridors.

Consulting with the community

To respond quickly to the need to support of the safe movement of pedestrians and cyclists during COVID-19, we have not conducted community consultation prior to approving these projects. This includes some trial projects which impact on-street car parking spaces.

We are delivering the bike lane and shared zone projects as trials and using materials that can be modified or removed depending on the outcomes and community feedback during the trials. These trials are expected to run between 12 months to two years. All other projects are permanent.

We will be inviting you to share your feedback and experiences of walking and cycling while using our new separated bike lanes and shared zones. Your feedback will help us to monitor the trials and make adjustments or improvements before any permanent decisions are made.

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 Current projects page.

Zebra crossing blitz

We are installing approximately 50 new zebra crossings at various intersections and roundabouts across Merri-bek. These will be in prioritised locations within activity centres and on Principal Pedestrian Network routes.

The exact number and locations of new crossings are subject to cost and approval by the state Department of Transport and will be confirmed when the crossings are designed and approved.

The zebra crossings will make it easier and safer for people to cross the road, particularly for people who need a bit more time to do so. This includes elderly people, families with children, and people with disabilities. They will also send a visual signal that walking is encouraged and that drivers and cyclists need to look out for pedestrians.

Subject to approval from the Department of Transport, these zebra crossings will also include some splashes of colour (next to the crossings, not on them) designed by Council’s Artists in Residence.

This project will have no impact on car parking. The budget for this project is $400,000 and additional funding is also being sought from the state government. This project will be delivered progressively across Merri-bek from December 2020 to June 2021.

  • Crossing already installed across Merri-bek include:

    • Ewing Street at Barkly Street, Brunswick
    • Ewing Street at Edward Street, Brunswick
    • David Street at Glenlyon Road, Brunswick
    • Ewing Street at Weston Street, Brunswick
    • Hickford Street at Lygon Street, Brunswick East
    • Cross Street at Albert Street, Brunswick East
    • Stanley Street at Albion Street, Brunswick East
    • Harding Street at Russell Street, Coburg
    • Northumberland Road at Westbreen Creek, Pascoe Vale
  • Crossing approved by the Department of Transport but still awaiting installation include:

    • Glenlyon Road at Ewing Street, Brunswick
    • Glenlyon Road at Ewing Street, Brunswick
    • Frith Street at Victoria Street, Brunswick
    • Gale Street at Albert Street, Brunswick East
    • Sedgman Street at Albert Street, Brunswick East
    • Bladen Avenue at Lygon Street, Brunswick East
    • Evans Street at Lygon Street, Brunswick East
    • Luscombe Street at Lygon Street, Brunswick East
    • Piera Street at Lygon Street, Brunswick East
    • Queen Street at Lygon Street, Brunswick East
    • St Phillip Street at Lygon Street, Brunswick East
    • Belair Avenue at Chapman Avenue, Glenroy
    • Derby Street at Lyking Street, Pascoe Vale
    • Derby Street at Oakbank Grove, Pascoe Vale
    • Derby Street at Raeburn Street, Pascoe Vale
  • Crossing pending approval by the Department of Transport include:

    • Harrison Street at Nicholson Street, Brunswick East
    • Kirkdale St at Nicholson Street, Brunswick East
    • Stewart Street (both sides) at Nicholson Street, Brunswick East
    • Davies Street at Sydney Road, Brunswick
    • Donald Street at Sydney Road, Brunswick
    • Mitchell Street at Sydney Road, Brunswick
    • Union Street at Sydney Road, Brunswick
    • Shaftsbury Street at Merri-bek Road, Brunswick West
    • Everett Street at Merri-bek Road, Brunswick West
    • Baxter Street at Sydney Road, Coburg
    • Blair Street at Sydney Road, Coburg
    • Gilmour Street at Bell Street, Coburg
    • Mckay Street at Bell Street, Coburg
    • Moore Street at Sydney Road, Coburg
    • Norman Street at Sydney Road, Coburg
    • Rogers Street at Sydney Road, Coburg
    • Sargood Street at Sydney Road, Coburg
    • Sheffield Street at Sydney Road, Coburg
    • The Grove at Sydney Road, Coburg
    • Walsh Street at Sydney Road, Coburg
    • Woolacott Street at Sydney Road, Coburg
    • Belair Avenue at Pascoe Vale Road, Glenroy
    • Fincheley Avenue at Pascoe Vale Road, Glenroy
    • Lytton Street at Pascoe Vale Road, Glenroy
    • Post Office Pl at Pascoe Vale Road, Glenroy
    • Blucher Street at Wheatsheaf Road, Glenroy
    • Greenwood Street at Bell Street, Pascoe Vale South
    • Landsowne Street at Bell Street, Pascoe Vale South
    • Royal Parade at Bell Street, Pascoe Vale South

De Carle Street traffic calming

Alongside the projects listed above, we are also installing

New pedestrian thresholds

Alongside the projects listed above, we are also installing approximately 5 new pedestrian thresholds at various locations. These will be on prioritised Principal Pedestrian Network routes and routes to schools. The exact number and location of the new thresholds are subject to design and cost and are still to be confirmed.

A pedestrian threshold is where the surface of a road is raised at the intersection, encouraging drivers and cyclists to slow down and look for pedestrians when turning. These additions improve safety and make walkways more accessible by providing a continuous surface for pedestrians that don't involve ramps.

This project will have no impact on car parking. The budget for this project is $400,000 and additional funding is also being sought from the state government. This project will be delivered progressively across Merri-bek from February 2021 to June 2021.

Improved safety for cyclists on Boundary Road in Pascoe Vale, Coburg North, and Hadfield

Boundary Road has bicycle lanes for most of its length and previously parking has been allowed in these lanes. This has meant that cyclists have needed to cross into the path of traffic to get around parked cars on an arterial road with a 60km/h speed limit.

We are trialing a ban of on-street parking on Boundary Road in Pascoe Vale, Coburg North, and Hadfield between the Upfield Railway Line and West Street Pascoe Vale. We aim to improve safety for cyclists using the Boundary Road bicycle lanes so they do not have to cross into the path of traffic due to parked cars.

In general, very few of the spaces along Boundary Road are in use, as most properties have off-street parking and there is also parking available in side streets. This ban will not impact any on-street parking at the shops across the road from Westbreen Primary School, or the indented parking bays near the shops opposite Hallam Reserve.

Making it safer for cyclists on Boundary Road will provide more east-west travel options in Merri-bek’s north. This change also complements the recent extension of the Coburg to Glenroy Bicycle Link with the new shared path along Rhodes Parade, the upcoming extension along Northumberland Road, KW Joyce Reserve, and Kent Road, and future improvements in Fawkner. It also complements the state government’s upgrades and extension of the Upfield shared pathway.

We will receive a report on whether to continue with this trial within 3 months of the end of the COVID-19 state of emergency.

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.

Moreland Integrated Transport Strategy (MITS)

The Moreland Integrated Transport Strategy (MITS) is a project that aims to improve the way we manage on-street parking across the municipality. This plan was adopted in March 2019 and was developed based on community consultation in 2017 and 2019. You can find out more about the strategy on our Moreland Integrated Transport Strategy (MITS) page.

This plan has seen many changes including being abandoned in a meeting in December 2020. At this time we resolved to abandon planned future MITS parking restrictions and changes in all Activity Centres (Coburg, Brunswick and Glenroy) and all Neighbourhood Centres. Our Councillors voted that further MITS changes should instead be based on community support and/or high levels of parking demand on a street-by-street basis.

For more information on the latest developments of this project, go to our Changes to parking in your area page.