- New ‘Stop’ signs installed at four crossings from 20-22 July
- Vegetation clearing and upgraded signs to improve visibility for drivers
Drivers in Willaura and Glenthompson will soon be required to come to a complete stop at selected rail level crossings, with the Australian Rail Track Corporation installing safety upgrades between 20 and 22 July.
The improvements are being delivered as part of the Australian Government-funded $150 million Replacement of Sleepers (Maroona to Portland) Project to support the efficient movement of key regional commodities such as grain and mineral sands to the Port of Portland.
As more freight shifts from road to rail, the upgrades will improve safety for local communities by introducing mandatory stops, clearer warning signs and better visibility at crossings. This helps drivers make safer decisions and reduces the risk of collisions.
Once installed, the new ‘Stop’ conditions will apply immediately, requiring road users to stop, look and only proceed when it is safe.
The upgrades are being delivered in partnership with Ararat Rural City Council, reflecting a shared commitment to improving safety outcomes for regional communities.
In regional areas, drivers can become used to not seeing trains. Trains travelling at speeds of up to 115 kilometres per hour can appear at a level crossing suddenly and trains cannot swerve or be stopped quickly to avoid a collision. These upgrades are designed to reinforce safe driving behaviour, avoid incidents, and potentially save lives.
Four passive level crossings in the Willaura and Glenthompson areas will be upgraded with ‘Stop’ signs; improved advanced warning signs; refreshed line marking where possible and vegetation clearing (which has recently been completed). This will give drivers clearer sightlines to look for approaching trains and more time to react on approach to the crossings.
The upgrades will take place at:
- Watgania Road, Holmes Road and Lalkaldarno Road, Willaura
- Boundary Road, Glenthompson
Works will be carried out from within the rail corridor between 8am and 5pm on 20-22 July 2026, with no road closures or detours required.
The Replacement of Sleepers (Maroona to Portland) Project will strengthen the 173-kilometre corridor, improve train transit time, improve network reliability and safety and allow more frequent, heavier and longer freight services.
The project forms part of ARTC’s Network Investment Program, a joint initiative with the Australian Government to strengthen and future proof the nation’s rail infrastructure. Almost $2.8 billion is being invested over seven years to 2032 to support improved efficiency and reliability of rail freight movement around the country.
ARTC Director Infrastructure Projects, Heather Parry, said:
“These upgrades are about making simple but critical changes to reduce risk at level crossings by ensuring every driver stops, looks both ways for trains, and makes a safe decision before crossing over the rail lines.
As rail activity increases and speeds improve along the corridor, these crossing upgrades are an important step in keeping both road users and rail operations safe while supporting more efficient freight movement.”
TrackSAFE Foundation Executive Director, Heather Neil, said:
“Regardless of where we live, it’s crucial road users know how to be safe around rail.
Collisions and near collisions at railway crossings are ongoing issues that put lives at risk. They can have serious impacts on train drivers and other rail workers and severely disrupt rail services, traffic flow and the wider community. Most of these incidents can be prevented.
Trains can come anytime, day or night, including when we least expect them. When road crosses over rail, road users must always obey the signs.”
