Eastern Freeway Upgrades update – June 2026

25 June 2026

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.

A smarter, faster Eastern Freeway

6 new express lanes reducing travel times on the Eastern Freeway
New busway express connection with park and rides at Bulleen and Doncaster
Delivering 18km of new and upgraded shared paths

Sustainable noise walls

Noise wall panels along the top of Frank Sedgman Reserve - Noise wall panels along the top of Frank Sedgman Reserve

Recycled plastic materials used to create our noise wall panels

Textured, recycled plastic noise walls are now up near Elgar Road forming part of the 11km new and upgraded noise walls being built between Burke and Tram roads.

These new Melbourne-made noise walls provide the highest level of traffic noise protection in Victoria – 63dB during the day and 58dB at night.

The environmentally friendly noise walls are made using approximately 104 tonnes of plastic, or around 2.4 million 2L milk bottles, that would otherwise go to landfill, contributing to the project’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Lifting big at Bulleen

In late March we completed one of the biggest and most complex lifts in Australian history, labelled as the ‘mega lift’.

The 1080-tonne beams are craned into place - The 1080-tonne beams are craned into place

The successful lift of the curved 1080 tonne, 100m long structure marked a major milestone for the project.

These beams form part of the elevated ramps that will connect the upgraded Eastern Freeway into the North East Link tunnels.

This is the first of three mega lifts to be completed at the Bulleen Road interchange this year.

Overhead signage removal – Eastern Freeway near Hoddle Street

A sign of the times

If you’ve driven between Hoddle Street and Chandler Highway recently you may have noticed the overhead signage that has been removed, making way for the new electronic signage that will improve driver safety for journeys on the Eastern Freeway.

Marking another step in preparing this section of the freeway for major construction, the removal of overhead signage allows crew to continue drainage upgrades, piling and early foundation works. To keep drivers informed and traffic moving safely through this area temporary electronic roadside signs, lighting, refreshed line marking and 80km/hr speed limits have been put in place across the Eastern Freeway during this time.

The new electronic traffic signage will be installed and fully operational by project completion in 2028.

Establishing safe worksites

Site establishment is now well underway between Hoddle Street and Burke Road as well as Springvale Road and Tram Road. Crews have been out installing fencing, hoarding and lighting to set up safe work areas.

Site establishment – Eastern Freeway near Chandler Highway - Site establishment – Eastern Freeway near Chandler Highway

Ahead of major construction, we’ve built construction compounds for worker facilities, parking and to store materials and equipment. The Eram Park and Chandler Highway North compounds are now operational with Junction Road Reserve, Burke Road and Yarra Main compounds to be completed in the coming months.

To prepare for major construction and create space for future freeway structures, worksites are also being built in Frank Sedgman Reserve and in sections of road reserve next to Kilby Road and Fairway Drive in Kew East.

To keep construction vehicles off local roads, access into worksites has been built from the freeway.

Upcoming freeway disruptions

Late June

Bulleen Road city-bound entry ramp closed

July

Bulleen Road city-bound exit ramp closed
Eastern Freeway closure between Bulleen Road and Springvale Road

Check for the latest disruption updates.

Preparing for piling

Between Middleborough and Tram roads we’re creating space for new bridges and elevated ramps.

Foundation works in Box Hill North - Foundation works in Box Hill North

Before we start piling works to build the foundation for these new structures, we’re preparing the area in our worksites between Tram and Middleborough roads to build elevated freeway ramps and new walking and cycling bridges.

We’re also relocating utility services using a mini tunnel boring machine that is now in the ground building the new sewer mainline. Works to realign a section of the Koonung Creek further north in Koonung Creek Linear Reserve have now begun with detours in place around our works area for pedestrians and cyclists.

Local school rocks!

Supporting learning in our local schools, grades 3, 5 and 6 students at Belle Vue Primary School were given a hands-on project experience, examining real geological core samples extracted from the area.

Students from Warekila Preschool practicing their own construction skills in the sand pit - Students from Warekila Preschool practicing their own construction skills in the sand pit

Following the classroom sessions, the project team was proud to take part in the school’s Community Welcome BBQ, where students also got hands-on with the machinery we use on site which included a mini digger and crane. We’re grateful to the school for welcoming us to be part of such a special event.

Tunnelling with tots!

Before our mini tunnel boring machines (TBMs) start building the underground sewers, we asked local children to give the machines a name. After working hard to excavate their sandpits in hard hats and safety vests, they named the mini TBMs Anna and Tahlia after 2 fantastic female engineers from the Eastern Freeway Upgrades – Tram to Springvale roads project team.

North East Link tunnels update

We thank the community for their patience during the recent disruptions on Bulleen Road while we completed critical drainage works for the future Manningham Road interchange.

Nearby, construction of the Motorway Control Centre is progressing well with timber structures now being installed.

We're also preparing to retrieve our Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), which will complete their journey to Bulleen in the coming months.

Construction timeline

December 2025

New walking and cycling bridges opened at Estelle Street, Bulleen and Heyington Avenue, Doncaster

Early 2026

Site establishment works underway between Hoddle Street and Burke Road and Tram to Springvale roads
Construction compounds opened at Chandler Highway, Burke Road, Eram Park, Junction Road Reserve
All Eastern Freeway projects in major construction between Hoddle Street and Springvale Road

Late 2026

Upgraded Doncaster Road interchange complete
Majority of noise walls complete on south side of Eastern Freeway
Landscaping complete in wetlands near Velda Avenue
Progressive reopening of the Koonung Creek Trail, south of the freeway between Balwyn Road and Elgar Road
Works start on elevated ramps, and walking and cycling bridges between Tram and Middleborough roads

2028

Upgraded Eastern Freeway, North East Link and completed M80 ring road opens

Come visit us

Our Project Information Centre is now open. Drop in and chat with our team, check out the latest designs and learn more about the Eastern Freeway Upgrades.

Project Information Centre
284 Doncaster Road, Balwyn North
Open 9am to 3pm,
Tuesday to Thursday

Download

Eastern Freeway Upgrades quarterly update \u2013 June 2026 (PDF 1.2 MB)