We're upgrading the Eastern Freeway with new express lanes, new traffic management technology, Melbourne's first express busway and a seamless connection to the North East Link.

Works to establish construction zones between Burke and Tram roads is progressing. Over the coming months we'll continue site investigations, relocate utilities and establish major worksites.

Setting up these work areas with fencing and signage protects drivers, cyclists and pedestrians from construction machinery – it also creates a safe environment for our workers to get on with building this massive job.

Establishment works will continue for the rest of the year, with increased activity around Bulleen Road and Doncaster Road as works ramp up to build the new interchanges. On the Eastern Freeway we're removing the centre median so traffic can be moved onto new lanes by early next year.

Bulleen interchange traffic successfully diverted

Crews worked around the clock at the end of May to upgrade 2 intersections and connect the new section of road to Thompsons Road and Bulleen Road near the Carey Bulleen Sports Complex.

The Bulleen Road diversion has created space for us to start works to build a new interchange at Bulleen, connecting an upgraded Eastern Freeway to the 6.5 kilometre North East Link tunnels.

With traffic now using the diverted road, our team completed major earthworks to remove the old Bulleen Road and have now begun building the foundations for the permanent Bulleen Road. The diversion will remain in place until late 2025.

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• 11 minute faster trips along the Eastern Freeway
• 6 new express lanes
• 18 traffic lights skipped to the airport
• New busway with park and rides at Bulleen and Doncaster
• 10km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths.

Flyovers, busway and bridge widening begins in Bulleen

In Bulleen we’re starting works to build the new elevated roads for the entrance of the North East Link tunnels. Works are also underway to build the first sections of the Eastern Busway near Bulleen Road, as well as new walking and cycling connections.

Flyover bridges

We're building three flyover bridges in Bulleen starting with the foundations for the southbound flyover that will connect into the Eastern Freeway. In September, we’ll start piling inside our work zone north of Thompsons Road.

Bulleen Road bridge

We've removed traffic islands along Bulleen Road and the bridge to prepare for shifting traffic to the west. In September, we'll begin piling works for the new bridge foundations in the freeway centre median. A new separated pedestrian bridge will also be built alongside the widened Bulleen Road bridge.

Busway and underpasses

To create space for Melbourne's first express busway, we've realigned the Bulleen Road outbound exit ramp and will remove a rock wall. The busway will travel under the widened Bulleen Road, connecting the Eastern Freeway to Bulleen Park & Ride.

In September, we'll begin work to realign the citybound on ramp at Bulleen Road. This will create space for the construction of a new shared path underpass, connecting to the Koonung Creek Trail.

Ready, set, grow!

We’re giving away up to 1,000 native trees to help locals green their gardens as we upgrade the Eastern Freeway.

We’ve partnered with Yarra View Bushland Nursery, Australia’s largest social enterprise nursery, to grow and deliver native trees for local gardens as part of our Backyard Tree Planting program.

This program is on top of work already underway to plant at least 2 trees for every 1 removed.

More than 10,000 trees will be planted as we build the first stage of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Burke Road to Tram Road. It’s all part of delivering 1 of the biggest tree planting programs for a major road project in Victoria.

Email us at contact@bigbuild. vic.gov.au to receive up to 3 free native trees. Offer closes 31 August 2024 or until stocks run out.

New Doncaster Road interchange

Doncaster Road bridge will be rebuilt to improve trips for cars, buses, pedestrians and bikes.

Early works to reconfigure lanes on the bridge and build temporary ramps have started. These works will create the space needed to build the new interchange and incorporate an upgraded Doncaster Park & Ride and Eastern Busway.

Engagement on the Doncaster Park & Ride Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) will start soon. Please sign up for updates and we'll notify you when plans are made public.

Site establishment continues

With more than 6.5km of freeway between Burke Road and Tram Road, the Eastern Freeway Upgrade team are establishing worksites along the reserves on either side of the freeway to accommodate our workers and store equipment, and heavy machinery. This provides separation for road users and park users from construction activity.

Koonung Creek Reserve worksites

With noise-reducing fencing and site buildings installed, our workforce will start working out of the site later this month. The Koonung Creek Trail is diverted around our sites and construction vehicles will use direct freeway access to keep heavy traffic off local streets.

Kampman Street to Doncaster Road

We’ve diverted the shared path onto Kampman Street and over the Estelle Street bridge to the Koonung Creek Trail on the southern side of the freeway. In the coming months, we’ll remove the existing noise walls and get ready to start critical sewer relocation works in this area.

Valda Wetlands

We've built a new temporary walking and cycling path to keep the Koonung Creek Trail connected while we work. We'll begin to relocate the wetlands and build the freeway construction access and exit points over the coming months, providing us the space to construct the new wetlands and build the upgraded Heyington Avenue Bridge.

Elgar Park north west oval

We're starting works in August to build a construction compound in Elgar Park's north west Oval. This site will provide crucial facilities for workers upgrading the Eastern Freeway between Doncaster and Elgar roads. The site will be used from late August 2024 until the end of 2026, after which we'll reinstate the oval for community use. We thank the community for their patience while we set up these worksites.

New and upgraded noise walls to tackle Victoria’s highest noise standard

The Eastern Freeway Upgrades will deliver a new 63 decibel noise standard, consistent with the highest level of traffic noise protection in Victoria.

In response to community feedback we’re also introducing a quieter 58 decibel standard to provide residents with even greater protection from traffic noise at night – a first for a road project in Victoria.

To minimise disruption and where noise walls already provide strong protection, we'll keep or upgrade existing noise walls where possible.

New noise walls will range in height from three to ten metres depending on their location, and will be designed to protect privacy and allow for the flow of natural light.

We've begun removing old noise walls between Bulleen and Doncaster roads, and we'll continue this work between Doncaster and Elgar roads.

We may need to work at night near noise walls to ensure the safety of passing motorists and to reduce traffic impacts during the day. We’ll always notify residents in advance of these works.

What is 63dBA comparable to?

• 60 dBA -  2 people talking
• 63 dBA - running dishwasher
• 70 dBA - passenger car passing by.

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.

Apply now!

Applications are now open for the North East Community Fund Grants of up to $75,000 are available for projects and initiatives that benefit the local community, ranging from art exhibitions, sports club open days and community centre upgrades, while partnerships of up to $100,000 are also available.

If your community group has a great idea to bring people together, strengthen community bonds, or improve local sporting and event facilities, we’d love to hear from you.

Applications close 3:00pm, Tuesday 10 September.

For more information please visit North East Community Fund.

Keeping you up to date

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.

Contact us:

You can also contact us on 1800 105 105 to speak to a member of the project team or to make an appointment to see us.

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