In Watsonia, Macleod and Yallambie, works are stepping up as we prepare for major construction of the North East Link Tunnels. Piling works have started and we're continuing to build new lanes on Greensborough Road to keep traffic moving right through construction.

North East Link will fix the missing link in our city’s freeway network, take 15,000 trucks off local roads a day and reduce travel times by up to 35 minutes.

We've kicked off establishing our site compounds in Watsonia and Yallambie – all in preparation for major tunnelling in 2024.

In Watsonia, we're realigning Greensborough Road and piling the foundations for the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) launch box.

This will help create space for us to lower the massive TBM into place, while keeping traffic on Greensborough Road moving alongside construction.

In Yallambie, we're making room for the simpler tunnel interchange at Lower Plenty Road and bringing large machinery and equipment on site to support tunnelling works.

We're working closely with residents and traders as works progress. Read on to see what will be happening near you.

Fast facts

• 6.5km longer tunnel from Watsonia to Bulleen
• Simpler interchanges at Lower Plenty and Manningham roads
• 15,000 trucks off local roads
• 2km tree-lined Greensborough Road boulevard
• 5 MCGs of parklands along Banyule Creek at Borlase Reserve

Upcoming works in Watsonia and Macleod

Download the fact sheet (PDF, 731.6 KB) to view the map in detail.

Greensborough Road realignment

We’re realigning a 300-metre section of Greensborough Road to make room to build the launch box for the Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) while keeping traffic moving right throughout construction. We’re:

• working day and night to realign Greensborough Road between Wattle Drive and Watsonia Road
• relocating Watsonia Road and Greensborough Road bus stops. The northbound bus stop will move to 323 Greensborough Road, Watsonia. The southbound bus stop will move north of the Watsonia Road and Greensborough Road intersection
• changing Greensborough Road to a clearway with no parking between Wattle Drive and Watsonia Road between 3.30pm and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Tunnel boring machine launch area

On the east side of Greensborough Road between Watsonia Road and Yallambie Road, we’re preparing the launch box for the TBMs ahead of their expected delivery in late 2023. After they arrive, we’ll assemble and launch them on their journey south in 2024. We’re:

• doing earthworks and clearing to level the site
• establishing construction compounds to support workers and tunnel operations
• continuing piling works to build the TBM launch box structure 25m underground. This involves using piling rigs to build deep holes filled with concrete to form the walls of the launch box
• installing hoarding around the edge of the site.

Winsor Reserve

When the TBMs start tunnelling in 2024, the dirt they excavate will come to the surface on a continuous enclosed conveyor system. The conveyor will carry it over Greensborough Road to a large acoustic shed at Winsor Reserve. Inside the shed, the dirt will be safely loaded onto covered trucks and moved offsite.

Soon we'll start preparing the area and laying the foundations for the acoustic shed. The shed will be built to contain noise, dust and light spill as much as possible. To manage truck and traffic movements and to keep locals safe, a new set of traffic lights will be installed just north of Torbay Street. The playground and Tuckfield Court path will remain open for local use.

Once works are complete, we'll work with the community to reinstate the reserve into a sporting and recreation space.

Upcoming works in Yallambie

Tunnel ventilation structure

The ventilation structures for the North East Link Tunnels will protect the health of the local community and drivers using the tunnels.

The northern tunnel ventilation structure will be located near Blamey Road on former Department of Defence land in Yallambie. We're preparing the site for construction of a ventilation shaft to connect to the tunnels underground. We’re:

• setting up construction compounds to support workers
• preparing the site to start excavation works in 2023
• building a new intersection with traffic lights on Greensborough Road opposite Oban Way to help trucks and construction vehicles safely enter and minimise use of local roads.

Lower Plenty Road interchange

We’re preparing the site so we can build the ramps and the tunnels for the new Lower Plenty Road interchange.

The interchange ramps will be built using a method called cut and cover. A deep area will be excavated to build the tunnel and connecting ramps, then covered over when finished. We’re:

• setting up construction compounds and worker car parking to support works
• levelling the site
• preparing to start piling works later this year, which involves building support columns into the ground as part of the walls for the tunnel interchange ramps.

Soil and rock samples

We’ve just finished 6 months of site investigation and geotechnical testing to help us better understand the area’s geology and site conditions. More than 11,000 soil and rock samples were taken from over 2000 locations. This information is helping inform detailed tunnel design.

Keeping you moving during construction

We’re planning construction to minimise traffic disruptions so you can keep moving throughout works.

Truck movements

We’re installing new traffic light intersections along Greensborough Road to allow trucks to safely enter and exit our sites. We'll also keep reviewing traffic light sequencing to keep traffic moving, planning truck routes that avoid local roads, and using haul roads within work sites to keep as many trucks as possible off local roads.

Road works

When we're doing road works, we’ll have safety barriers in place to keep people and road users separate from our works. We’ll install signs to guide pedestrians and drivers through changed traffic conditions and detours. During works, we’ll have traffic controllers and reduced speed limits to help you travel safely.

As works progress, please allow extra travel time for your journey and be mindful as you move around the area.

When we'll be working

• Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm
• Saturdays 7am to 1pm
• Night works 7pm to 6am

Sometimes we’ll need to work at night from 7pm to 6am.

We'll reach out to businesses and traders before any night works start with more information on what time and days we'll be working.

Community Fund launched

Community projects big and small will benefit from the new North East Community Fund.

Applications have closed for the first funding round, and there will be another funding round in 2023.

The fund will support projects and provide lasting community benefit to areas most impacted by construction.

For more information, visit North East Community Fund.

Tree boost for local schools

Twenty schools, kindergartens and early learning centres near our works now have access to nursery vouchers as part of a $50,000 program to support more green spaces as North East Link is built.

We've partnered with Yarra View and Bushland Flora Nursery, a leading social enterprise nursery, to provide trees, plants and supplies to the schools. Our arboriculture specialists will also work to help them choose suitable tree species and locations.

We've also been supplying logs, timber and mulch to local community groups and organisations from the trees that were removed, including 50 logs to Banyule City Council for playground furniture, seating and tables.

Shop local

Watsonia shops are staying open for business during works. North East Link Program and major tunnelling contractor, Spark, are supporting traders by partnering with Watsonia Traders Association and surrounding businesses to keep people shopping local throughout the works.

Visit Watsonia Shops for the latest promotions, activations and giveaways.

Keeping you up to date

We’ll continue to provide the local community with information about construction as it progresses.

Our community engagement team are out talking to people about works in their area and how we can support residents and traders during construction.

Speak with the team

Watsonia Community Hub

17 Watsonia Road, Watsonia
10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Find us on Google maps

Drop in anytime, or contact our project team to make an appointment.

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