Pint sized civil engineers and construction workers can try their hand at building their own rail bridge and underpass replicating Level Crossing Removal Projects at Robinsons Road, Fitzgerald Road and Mt Derrimut Road.
Western Building Blocks workshops are being held in Ardeer from Monday 27 June to Saturday 1 July, where children aged 3 to 7 can learn about what is involved in removing a level crossing. The sessions are held on the hour, for 45 minutes.
Children use large foam building blocks to create bridges and underpasses. Other activities will see children make their own rock planters to watch grow, dress up in construction gear and work through activity books focused on engineering, the environment and safety.
Over 350 children took part in the inaugural Berwick Building Blocks workshops held in December 2021 and January 2022.
St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman invited local kids to “find out how we get the job done”.
“The Western Building Blocks workshops offer the chance for the community to learn about what the Level Crossing Removal Project team do, and lay the foundation for our future engineers, designers and construction workers,” she said.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the Building Blocks workshops in Ardeer, following the roaring success of the first one in Berwick that saw more than 350 children participate.”
Ms Suleyman said the new Fitzgerald Road bridge will open in July, which will see the congested level crossing gone for good six months ahead of its 2023 schedule. The Robinsons Road level crossing will be removed by the end of the year, also ahead of schedule.
The state government will also remove the level crossing at Mt Derrimut Road by 2024, building a rail bridge over the road as well as a new, modern Deer Park Station.
More information on the Building Blocks session go to levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/events/western-building-blocks-come-join-us!
