Temporary shared path at Belle Vue Primary School

16 September 2025

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

We’ll need to temporarily divert the Koonung Creek Trail around the Belle Vue Primary School oval. This diversion will allow us to build new noise walls and upgrade the shared path. We'll install tall fencing during the September school holidays to separate the work site from the school.

The new underpass will travel beneath the Bulleen Road citybound exit ramp from Viewpoint Road and connect to the underpass currently being built on the other side of Bulleen Road.

Once complete, cyclists and pedestrians will seamlessly travel along the Koonung Creek Trail without crossing Bulleen Road, avoiding any traffic. The new noise walls being built close to the school will be up to nine metres in height and we’ll upgrade the current Koonung Creek Trail along the ramp.

The new noise walls will meet a stringent daytime noise standard of 63 decibels. This is in line with the highest level of traffic noise protection in Victoria.

We’ll also complete other necessary works such as installing steel beams over the freeway, road pavement works, widening of the Bulleen Road bridge and building a dedicated pedestrian bridge over the freeway next to Bulleen Road.

When we'll be working

We’ll be working during the day, although some night works may be required. Those living close to the project will be informed of any night works.

Work hours

Monday to Friday between 7am to 6pm
Saturday between 7am to 3pm.

Koonung Creek Trail temporary shared path diversion

Frequently Asked Questions about the shared path diversion

Once completed, the project will remove the shared path and timber fencing and restore the oval to its original condition in consultation with the school.

Before the project starts, we’ll complete a pre-construction condition survey of the oval so that we have a record of what the oval looked like before works start.

We have been working closely with the school on plans for restoration and you can provide suggestions at the upcoming information sessions and as works progress.

We’re building a 2.4m timber fence with double panels to prevent climbing and safely separate shared path users from students inside the school. We’ll install signs at both ends of the shared path and paint pavement markings at the Highview Road footpath intersection to guide people safely through the area.

The project will be responsible for removing any graffiti and/or damage to the timber fence during construction.

Yes, approximately 17 trees will need to be removed for all works occurring in this area, not just the shared path diversion. The project has worked hard to retain as many trees as possible. We acknowledge this will be a significant change for many in the local community and the project is committed to working with the school on landscaping and replanting in this area when works are complete.

The shared path diversion will be in place for approximately 18 months. This gives us enough time to build the underpass, noise walls, relocated underground utilities and permanent pavement for the citybound exit ramp.

No. The project has placed the temporary shared path entrance as far south to avoid impacting the main pick up and drop off area.

When planning these types of diversions, the project considers things like overall safety, sightlines, the surrounding terrain and gradient to ensure we provide a DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliant shared path that can be used by all ages and abilities. The diversion route considered all these factors.

Artists impression of Bulleen interchange. Design subject to further development

^{Note: Timeline is subject to change.}

You can contact 1800 105 105 to speak to us (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

Email: contact@bigbuild.vic.gov.au.

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Temporary shared path at Belle Vue Primary School Factsheet Sept 2025 (PDF 1.0 MB)

When we'll be working

Work hours

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Frequently Asked Questions about the shared path diversion

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