7 November 2025
New bridges taking shape
As part of North East Link, we're upgrading the Eastern Freeway with new express lanes, new traffic management technology and Melbourne’s first dedicated busway.
Heyington Avenue bridge
In September, we successfully removed and replaced the Heyington Avenue bridge over the Eastern Freeway.
The 90-metre steel arch bridge was lifted into place during a full freeway closure between Doncaster and Tram roads – the first time the Eastern Freeway has been closed in over 30 years.
Crews worked around the clock to demolish the original cable-stayed bridge before installing the new bridge, which is straighter and up to four metres wide. The new bridge will be open in late 2025.
Heyington Avenue bridge is one of several new and upgraded shared path crossings being delivered as part of the Eastern Freeway Upgrade to provide improved connections for the community.
Doncaster Road interchange
The Doncaster Road bridge over the Eastern Freeway will be taller and wider to accommodate more lanes over and under the freeway. An express busway will run on the northern side of the freeway connecting directly into an upgraded Doncaster Park and Ride.
We're continuing to build the new Doncaster Road bridge deck and protective retaining walls and the final Ringwood-bound exit ramp, to allow us to move traffic onto the city side of the new bridge by the end of the year.
A smarter, faster Eastern Freeway
- 11 minute faster trips along the Eastern Freeway
- 6 new express lanes
- New Busway with park and rides at Bulleen and Doncaster
- 10km shared paths
Estelle Street bridge
We’re getting ready to demolish the old Estelle Street bridge and we'll have a full freeway closure in both directions between Bulleen and Doncaster roads to undertake these works. We'll also complete other works along the freeway to make the most of the closure. Significant delays are expected, so please plan your journey.
Disruption information
10pm, Friday 7 November to 5am, Monday 10 November
Full weekend closure of the freeway between Bulleen and Doncaster roads.
Additional travel time
Up to 90 mins
Detours
Citybound detours via Doncaster Road and Bulleen Road .
Ringwood-bound detours via Thompsons Road, Manningham Road and Doncaster Road .
From 10pm, Friday 7 November for up to 3 weeks
There will be no access to the Estelle Street bridge and the new bridge won't be open until late November. To cross the freeway pedestrians and cyclists can detour via Bulleen or Doncaster road interchanges, or take a free shuttle bus at the bridge site running every 30 minutes, from 7am to 6pm.
Transforming Doncaster Road interchange
From November, we'll start works to build a temporary Ringwood-bound entry ramp, the permanent Ringwood-bound exit ramp and reconfigure the intersection at Doncaster Road and High Street.
Disruption information
From Friday 7 November
The Doncaster Road Ringwood-bound exit ramp will be closed for up to five weeks for critical utility works and installing retaining walls for the new Eastern Busway. During this time, drivers need to detour via Bulleen Road or Elgar Road.
From Monday 10 November
The intersection of High Street and Doncaster Road will be closed for up to five weeks to support these works and carry out permanent asphalting and build new roads and kerbs.
Drivers on Doncaster Road need to detour via Manningham Road or Bulleen Road.
Doncaster Park and Ride
Over the last few months, our team has been preparing the site, and construction of the park and ride is now underway. The new facility will feature:
- a modern passenger services building with a customer service office, ticketing facilities, toilets, and a comfortable waiting area
- a multi-level car park offering 435 spaces, with lifts and stairs for easy access.
We’re aiming to complete the building in 2027. Final touches including landscaping will follow, paving the way for the Eastern Busway to open in 2028.
Realigning Koonung Creek
Throughout 2025, we’ve been completing earthworks and redirecting the creek. In September and October, we installed 399 concrete culvert sections to help shape the new alignment.
Works to protect the new creek alignment are ongoing and ensure we can continue to build the new lanes for the Eastern Freeway.
Building the connection to the North East Link tunnels
In late August we successfully diverted a section of Koonung Creek and removed the temporary Bulleen Road diversion, making way for new bridge foundations to be built, which form the structures that will take vehicles to and from the North East Link tunnels.
We’ve also finished building the foundations for the second bridge that forms part of the Eastern Busway.
First noise wall panels installed
In October, the first recycled plastic moulded noise wall panels were installed along the freeway citybound near Elgar Road.
As part of the project’s commitment to sustainability, these panels will prevent more than 100 tonnes of plastic from going to landfill – that's the equivalent of around 2.4 million two-litre milk bottles.
Belle Vue Primary School engagement
The Eastern Freeway project team collaborated with Belle Vue Primary School to develop artwork which has been installed on the temporary timber fencing round the northern side of the school’s oval.
The artwork includes blackboards for children to draw on and a colourful scene depicting a crowd and grandstand. We completed this during the school holiday period and it was a nice surprise for students, teachers and parents on their return.
North East Link tunnels
In Bulleen, works are continuing on the Motorway Control Centre and the Manningham Road interchange entry and exit ramps.
Our Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) are now over halfway through their journey and we've completed assembling the 550-tonne gantry crane needed to retrieve them when they arrive.
Further south near the Eastern Freeway, we're making significant progress on the Yarra Link Green Bridge and tunnel entrance. As you drive along Bulleen Road, you'll see these structures taking shape over the coming months.
We’re working hard to minimise disruption and will continue to keep the community informed as works progress.
Introducing TBM Charlotte
Children from Kalker Montessori Kindergarten in Bulleen were recently given the chance to learn about mini tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and name three on our project.
We're excited to announce that the first TBM was named Charlotte. Charlotte is tunnelling along Estelle Street in Bulleen and will finish her journey by the end of the year.
Construction timeline
Burke Road to Tram Road
October 2025
- Doncaster Park and Ride construction starts
- First noise wall panels installed
- Koonung Creek culvert installation ongoing
November 2025
- Old Estelle Street bridge removed
- New Estelle Street bridge open
December 2025
- Traffic switch onto new half of Doncaster Road bridge
- New Heyington Avenue bridge open
Early 2026
- Noise wall panel installation continues
- Removal of the existing Doncaster Road bridge
- Continuing to landscape areas along the Koonung Creek Trail
- Traffic changes along the Eastern Freeway
2028
- Eastern Freeway Upgrades, North East Link and completed M80 Ring Road opens
Upcoming freeway disruptions
Freeway disruptions are expected as part of the significant works to construct the new freeway bridges. Expect overnight lane, ramp and carriageway closures, as well as weekend freeway closures at times.
Stay up to date with disruptions information
The best way to stay up to date with works and upcoming freeway disruptions is by SMS or email.
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Sign up for SMS updates
Receive updates directly to your phone. Text Eastern Freeway to 0499 073 073
We're here to help
Our community engagement team will be out and about talking to people about works in their area and how we can support you during construction.
You can also contact 1800 105 105 to speak to us or to make a time to meet with us.
Come and visit us
Project Information Centre
284 Doncaster Road, Balwyn North Open 9am to 3pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
1800 105 105 (call anytime). For languages other than English please call 9209 0147.
If you need assistance due to a hearing or speech impairment, please visit relayservice.gov.au