The western side of the rail bridge is now in place, and the eastern side of the bridge is almost complete. Fourteen 90-tonne steel bridge sections are now being lifted into place, ready for trains to run with the station due to open on Monday 16 December.

The removal of the level crossing means the six boom gates – previously down for up to 24 minutes during the morning peak – will never again hold up traffic at the intersection used by 36,000 vehicles each day.

In the past decade there were three recorded collisions, a fatality and 26 near misses at this level crossing.

The removal of the level crossing will also benefit local businesses, who continue to receive targeted support from the project during the disruption.

With the crossing gone, finishing works around the station precinct will continue in 2020, including completion of the station building, lifts and landscaping.

Updated designs on new community spaces, released today, showcase the new civic plaza, which will improve pedestrian connectivity between Edwardes Street and Broadway, as well as the project’s 330 extra trees.

In order to get the station open and trains running on the new bridge, there will be changes to travel with buses replacing trains on sections of the Mernda line from Tuesday 3 December to last train Sunday 15 December.

During this time, workers will demolish the old Reservoir Station platforms and install new track and overhead wires. Metro Tunnel crews will also use the rail line closure to install track-side equipment and signalling technology between Epping and South Morang stations to prepare the site for high-capacity signalling testing in 2020.

Work to improve safety and deliver more trains on the Mernda line, used by 33,000 passengers each weekday, is continuing with another four level crossing removals and new stations at Bell and Preston planned.

For more information about the Reservoir level crossing removal project and other major projects across Victoria, visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au.

Quote attributable to Acting Premier James Merlino

“We said we’d get rid of this notorious bottleneck in the heart of Reservoir and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

“We’ve already removed 30 dangerous and congested level crossings and soon we’ll add Reservoir to that list – helping locals to get where they need to go safer and sooner.”

Quote attributable to Member for Preston Robin Scott

“Come December, the new station will be open for passengers and motorists will be able to drive through the intersection without being stuck at a dangerous level crossing.”