Premier Daniel Andrews says the state government’s latest level crossing removal job is going to be "huge", taking out four railway crossings in one of Melbourne’s worst traffic snarls at Bell Street in Preston "in one hit".

It was big news too for the Tsgaratou family when two government officials knocked on their door on Monday night and told them they would lose the home they have owned for decades.

The crossing removal project is ambitious, taking out the hated Mernda Line crossing at Bell Street, as well as three other road-rail intersections and straightening out the curve known as "devil’s bend", just north of the congested thoroughfare.

Mr Andrews said the project – to be completed before the next state election due in November 2022 - was a "big win" for the local community, getting Bell Street moving, running more trains on the Mernda line and creating much needed open space.