Major construction continues this month on the Melbourne train line at Maddox Road and Champion Road in Newport, with works set to transform the area's rail infrastructure and remove a dangerous level crossing.

Works throughout November include building new rail bridges over Maddox Road on the Melbourne train line, constructing a pedestrian and cycling bridge at Champion Road, and creating a new link road connecting Champion Road to Maddox Road via Akuna Drive. Construction crews will also build hardstands within the rail corridor, relocate signalling and drainage infrastructure, and continue piling works near Railway Parade.

Final designs for the project have been released, showing the rail bridges that will carry passenger and freight trains over Maddox Road and safety features on the new pedestrian and cycling bridge at Champion Road. The Champion Road level crossing will close permanently, with the new Akuna Drive link road opening before that closure occurs in 2026.

Construction is currently underway in Quarry Reserve between Akuna Drive and Park Crescent, connecting to 50 new car spaces being built on Park Crescent. Park Crescent parking works began on Tuesday 18 November and will continue until early 2026. Warehouse demolition works on Maddox Road continued until mid-November, whilst construction of the new intersection at Maddox Road and the Akuna link began on Thursday 6 November. Twenty-two on-street parking spaces on the eastern side of Maddox Road closed permanently from Wednesday 29 October.

The Werribee and Williamstown Melbourne train lines closed from 8.30pm Thursday 13 November to last service Sunday 16 November, with buses replacing trains. During this closure, crews worked around the clock in the rail corridor and Maddox Road was closed at the level crossing. From Monday 17 November to late April 2026, trains on the Werribee Line will run on a single track between Newport and Laverton stations to allow major construction work to continue whilst minimising disruptions.

Significant road and parking changes are in effect during the construction period. Maddox Road was closed at the level crossing from 8.30pm Thursday 13 November to 3am Monday 17 November. Park Crescent experienced a full closure between Violet Street and Champion Road from 9.30am to 3pm Tuesday 18 November with a local detour in place. The western side of Park Crescent parking between Champion Road and Violet Street is closed from late October 2025 to February 2026, whilst the south side of Railway Parade parking remains closed until late 2026. The Maddox Road shared path is closed between the level crossing and 144 Maddox Road from Thursday 30 October to February 2026.

Rail service changes include buses replacing trains on the Werribee and Williamstown lines between North Melbourne, Werribee and Williamstown from 8.30pm Thursday 13 November to 5am Saturday 15 November. Buses replaced trains on the Werribee Line between Newport and Werribee from 5am Saturday 15 November to last service Sunday 16 November. A temporary timetable and service changes are in effect from Monday 17 November to late April 2026, with city-bound trains not stopping at Seaholme, Altona and Westona stations during this period. Replacement buses will connect passengers to Newport Station.

General working hours are Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm and Saturday 7am to 6pm, though some works will occur outside these hours throughout November to reduce disruptions. Reduced speed limits and traffic management will be in place around work areas, with local footpath closures implemented at times. Construction will involve increased noise, vibration and dust during some activities, along with more construction vehicles and machinery moving through the area.

Source: The Music