The Allan Labor Government has removed its 86^th dangerous and congested level crossing in Diggers Rest – delivering faster and safer journeys for thousands of Victorians in time for the opening of the Metro Tunnel.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams today visited the new ‘Golden Way’ bridge to announce it will open on Wednesday.

The bridge separates vehicles from trains by connecting the Old Calder Highway to Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road over the rail line, and its name acknowledges the area’s gold rush roots and its origins as a resting place for diggers heading to the goldfields.

More than 8,000 vehicles used this level crossing every day, facing delays of up to 36 minutes when 27 trains travel through the crossings in the morning peak.

The opening of the new bridge marks the Level Crossing Removal Program’s 86^th removal across Melbourne – with 10 sets of boom gates gone for good in the past year alone.

The removal of these 86 level crossings is preventing 111 crashes and near misses every year.

Getting rid of the level crossing brings the Sunbury Line one step closer to becoming boom gate free later this year, with work well under way at Watsons Road, Diggers Rest and Calder Park Drive and Holden Road in Calder Park.

With the bridge opening on Wednesday morning, Old Calder Highway will close to traffic between the level crossing and Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road until Monday, 21 July to enable works to permanently close the crossing.

Crews will now build a new community space with landscaping and pedestrian connections between the station precinct and post office and complete Golden Way’s separated cycling path, which will open later this year.

In addition to being level crossing free, the Sunbury Line is also set to benefit from the opening of the Metro Tunnel later this year, providing rail passengers with direct access to five new underground stations.

The Level Crossing Removal Project is removing 110 level crossings across Melbourne by 2030.