Managing construction impacts - M80 Ring Road Completion

1 November 2024

Construction machinery working on a dirt pathway, with excavators and a roller moving soil.

Works are underway to complete the M80 Ring Road in Greensborough

We have a number of major construction sites as we deliver the M80 Ring Road Completion. All works are carefully planned and managed to make sure residents can continue to enjoy where they live and local businesses can continue to operate.

This fact sheet outlines what we are doing to manage construction impacts and travel disruptions as we build the M80 Ring Road Completion.

The project will pass through traffic under local roads from Greensborough to Watsonia for a seamless connection to North East Link – taking 19,000 cars and trucks off Greensborough Road each day.

8 new underpasses, bridges and crossings
10km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths
14km of new lanes on the M80 Ring Road
2 new interchanges
4000+ new trees planted

If you feel you are experiencing excessive impacts from construction, we encourage you to contact the project team on 1800 105 105 as soon as possible.

Truck spraying water on a haul road to manage dust

Environmental Performance Requirements

All works are planned and managed in line with the project’s Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs).

The EPRs identify the impacts of project construction and how they will be managed.

These were developed in consultation with stakeholders before works on the project started through the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process.

Compliance with the EPRs is reviewed, verified and audited by an Independent Environmental Auditor.

How we manage impacts

Dust

We meet Victoria’s stringent air quality standards, which are among the highest in the world. Air quality will be regularly monitored to ensure it complies with strict Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs).

Controls to manage dust include:

building hardstand areas with asphalt and concrete
spraying water on haul roads and open areas within the worksite
containing stockpiles with fabric and eco-friendly soil binding agents
monitoring dust as close to the source as possible
avoiding construction activities that generate dust in dry and windy conditions.

Noise

Strict controls have been put in place to make sure construction noise is well managed and complies with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria guidelines.

These controls include:

choosing materials and equipment that reduce noise, such as using solar-powered lights instead of diesel generators
using alternate construction methods to reduce noise impacts
monitoring noise levels and taking action to reduce noise wherever possible
constructing temporary noise walls in high-impact areas
prioritising noise wall construction when planning our construction program.

Vibration

You may notice some vibration when we're working nearby, especially when excavating, piling or laying asphalt. There are strict requirements in place to minimise disruption and avoid damage to buildings. We will:

inspect nearby properties and buildings before and after construction
monitor ground movement and vibration levels at all times
inform you before starting nearby works likely to cause vibration.

Workers inspecting a drill used for underground piling works

Hazardous materials

Managing contaminated material is a normal part of major construction, especially when working in urban areas. We’ve conducted thousands of soil tests to understand ground conditions, but in the event that unexpected material is found, we have processes to manage this safely to protect the community and our workforce.

If unexpected contaminants are found, crews will set up an exclusion zone and monitor air quality to ensure there is no risk to our workers or the public. Licensed removalists will attend the site wearing personal protective equipment. They are trained to safely handle and dispose of any hazardous materials that may be present, in line with strict EPRs and EPA guidelines.

Trees and vegetation

We're working hard to retain and protect as many trees as possible.

We work with qualified ecologists and arborists to determine which trees need to be protected and which trees need to be replaced through new planting.

Where tree removal can’t be avoided, we:

clearly mark trees for removal and tag trees to be retained
conduct pre-removal inspections to identify any trees where animals may live
safely relocate animals under the supervision of a project ecologist before tree removal works go ahead
re-use trees for landscaping and urban design, or for local community and sustainability projects
plant 2 new trees for every one removed.

Workers Pouring concrete at the Frensham Reserve offset car park

Workforce parking

To maintain access and car parking for residents in local streets, we've built dedicated car parks with over 900 spaces for our workers in our site compounds.

A large drilling rig in operation at a construction site, with a worker controlling the machine as it digs into the ground, surrounded by rebar stacks and safety fencing.

Electric piling rig at Watsonia

Managing noise at night

A construction worker in safety gear operates equipment at night near red and yellow barriers on a roadway.

To keep traffic moving on freeways and arterial roads, and for the safety of our workers, sometimes we need to carry out works at night. Although we follow specific noise requirements and plan carefully to avoid noisy works at night, some noise is unavoidable.

Impacts to nearby residents and businesses are managed by a range of measures, including changing the time of planned works, providing respite periods or offering temporary relocation, and using noise barriers or changing construction methods to reduce noise.

If you ever have concerns about the amount on noise, call us straight away on 1800 105 105.

SiteHive monitoring

We use a system called SiteHive to monitor noise, vibration and air quality across our worksites.

These smart devices have cameras and microphones that help us identify sources of excessive noise, dust and vibration in real-time.

SiteHives are small and easy to move, which means we can place them in areas we predict may have higher impacts.

Truck movements

These dedicated routes are carefully planned to minimise impacts on traffic, residents and local streets.

To access our work areas, heavy vehicles will mostly use:

M80 Ring Road
Plenty Road
Greensborough Bypass
Greensborough Highway
Grimshaw Street
Elder Street
Lower Plenty Road
Para Road

To keep road users safe and keep local traffic moving, we’re installing a new temporary signalised intersection on Grimshaw Street, near Frye Street.

We work closely with North East Link to plan truck movements and routes that minimise disruption to the local community.

A construction site with machinery, cranes and safety barriers

We work closely with North East Link to minimise disruption to the community

Traffic and detours

During construction, you may notice changes to some of the roads you are familiar with, particularly on and around Greensborough Highway, Greensborough Bypass and the M80 Ring Road.

This may include road and lane closures, reduced speeds, access changes and detours. There may also be changes to walking and cycling paths.

To keep traffic moving we will:

use detours and early warning signals leading up to and around work zones
monitor traffic in real time and make adjustments if required
limit construction traffic and project vehicles on major roads during peak travel times
use tailored traffic management plans for each construction area to make sure road users can move safely around work areas
use safety barriers to keep people and road users separate from our works
have traffic controllers, electronic signs and reduced speed limits to help you travel safely
support people living close to works to get in and out of their properties
provide clear and up-to-date information including detour maps for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

Speak with the team

Our community Hub at Watsonia is a one-stop shop for project information and enquiries.

Watsonia Hub
17 Watsonia Road, Watsonia
Open 10am-5pm, weekdays

Visit anytime or contact our project team to make an appointment.

Download

M80-Ring-Road-Completion-fact-sheet-managing-construction-impacts.pdf (PDF 1.7 MB)