The dangerous and congested level crossing at Gap Road in Sunbury is gone for good with the new road underpass opening today ahead of schedule – the 67^th level crossing removed by the Andrews Labor Government.

The Sunbury community is now more connected than ever before with a notorious bottleneck untangled, reducing congestion, and improving safety for the 19,000 vehicles that travel through this section of the road each day.

The Gap Road level crossing is the fourth to be removed on the Sunbury Line after being brought forward by three years to take place alongside the Sunbury Line Upgrade.

The Labor Government is removing 85 level crossings across Melbourne by 2025, and another eight on the Upfield Line by 2027 – easing congestion and slashing travel times.

The early opening of Gap Road was announced at a community celebration earlier this month, where up to 2,000 locals walked on the new road and under the new rail bridge featuring a landmark artwork by Sunbury First Nations artist and proud Yorta, Gunaikurnai and Gunditjmara woman Teena Moffatt.

Since crews removed the Gap Road boom gates in June, the team has worked day and night to build the new rail bridge, excavate more than 25,000 cubic metres of soil and build the new road underpass.

The new Gap Road includes separated cycling and walking paths to safely connect the growing community. There will be temporary daytime cycling and walking path closures and night-time single traffic lane closures on Gap Road during October while crews complete minor work on the paths, including installing lighting and permanent line marking.

This spring construction will ramp up on the Sunbury Road Upgrade, with the last of barriers to be installed next month that will pave the way for crews to start building additional lanes, new intersections and a new bridge over Jacksons Creek.

Work on the new bridge is scheduled to commence in the coming weeks, with an additional creek crossing to take Sunbury Road from two to four lanes, improving the flow of traffic to emerging communities in Sunbury’s south-east.

Plans have also been approved for the new Sunbury Station car park on the corner of Station and Evans streets, which will bring 300 new commuter parking spaces, and more than 100 spaces for shoppers and traders across four levels.

Quotes attributable to Member for Sunbury Josh Bull

“Getting rid of the dangerous and congested Gap Road level crossing is just the start of upgrades across Sunbury, with more than $2 billion being invested in better transport – bringing huge benefits for residents and businesses.”

“The new Gap Road underpass and rail bridge is a fantastic result for Sunbury, and I’d like to thank everyone in the community for their patience while we completed this critical project – reconnecting our wonderful town.”