Project overview

Industrial handrails and commercial balustrades from Moddex were specified for the Bell to Preston Project, which was part of an ongoing effort spearheaded by the Victorian Government to remove 110 dangerous and congested level crossings throughout Melbourne by 2030. With 67 complete already, this is the largest project of its kind in Victoria’s history.

The Bell to Preston project involved four level crossing removal locations including Oakover Road, Bell Street, Cramer Street, and Murray Road in Preston. For this project, the Mernda rail line in Melbourne was raised over roads by removing old rail level crossings and replacing them with new bridge superstructures.

The Bell to Preston upgrade has freed up one of Melbourne’s busiest arterial roads – offering safer and faster local connections for Victorian roads, rail and community connections. Furthermore, two new train stations at Bell and Preston have revitalised the station areas, providing safer and more convenient links between public transport, local businesses, and parking and upgraded walkways and cycle paths within the station precinct.

According to Engage Victoria, “Around 82,000 vehicles passed through these former level crossings each day, where the boom gates were down for up to 40% of the morning peak.”

Contracted by JS Metal, Moddex Group supplied 2.5 kilometres each of Tuffrail industrial handrails (TR25) and Conectabal commercial balustrades (CB20) for the project.

Compliance-centric safety barriers

Moddex’s Tuffrail industrial handrails and Conectabal commercial balustrades are intrinsically designed with safety and compliance in mind.

Both products comply with Australian standards, including the Building Code of Australia (BCA), the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), and the Australian Standards for safety barriers and handrails.

Complementing modern architectural aesthetics

Complementing the modern architectural screens that were installed along several stretches of the Bell to Preston upgrade, Moddex’s industrial-look handrails and balustrades were a perfect fit.

Why was Moddex chosen?

Besides safety and compliance, fast delivery and easy installation were critical aspects of this project for partnering contractor JS Metal and principal contractor John Holland to ensure the work was completed to the proposed timeframes with certainty.

Moddex’s ever-reliable supply chain ensured that the industrial handrails and commercial balustrades were delivered to the project locations, on time and on budget with short lead times.

The partnership with JS Metal progressed so smoothly that Moddex is working on a secondary project.

Moddex – Everything Fits

Project details

Project: Bell to Preston Level Crossing Removal

Location: Melbourne, Victoria

Client: JS Metal

Products Used:

  • Conectabal Commercial Balustrades - CB20
  • Tuffrail Industrial Handrails - TR25