Work is well underway on a new Bulleen interchange that will link an upgraded Eastern Freeway with express lanes and traffic management technology to the 6.5km North East Link tunnel.

As part of these upgrades, we’re preparing to build key infrastructure near Mountain View Road to support upcoming construction. This includes removing existing noise walls, building a new retaining wall, laying foundations for a flyover bridge, and installing new noise walls that meet a stringent daytime noise standard of 63 decibels. We’re also upgrading local walking and cycling paths, including new bridges and underpasses.

The final designs for the noise walls will be released shortly, and we’ll be in touch with residents to share those designs once finalised.

What to expect

To make these works possible, we'll be:

• Extending our worksite along Mountain View Road
• Changing access in the area
• Putting measures in place to reduce impacts where we can.

Our crews will use heavy machinery such as excavators, piling rigs and cranes which means you may notice some noise, dust and vibrations at times. Here's how the works will progress over the coming months.

Stage 1 – Preparing for construction

To start, we will:

• Commence tree and vegetation removal
• Undertake site investigations to gather information about underground services.

Stage 2 –Koonung Creek Trail diversion, installation of noise reducing fencing and construction of turnaround bay

We’ll install four-metre high temporary timber noise reducing fencing to separate our work area from residents.

We’ll also start bulk earthworks to prepare for construction, build a temporary turnaround bay at the Mountain View Road bend to support council services, such as garbage trucks.

A section of the Koonung Creek Trail will be diverted during this time. See map below for further details.

Stage 3 – Noise wall removal and piling

We’ll remove the existing noise walls and begin bored piling to create strong foundations for the new retaining wall and noise walls.

You’ll notice medium to high levels of noise, dust and vibration from equipment and machinery. Most of this work will be completed during the day, however night works will be required as we are working close to the freeway.

Stage 4 – Permanent pavement and new noise walls

From late 2025, traffic will be shifted onto the new Bulleen Road citybound exit ramp. We'll also begin installation of the new permanent noise walls until early 2026.

New noise walls providing increased protection for residents

The new noise walls have been designed to reduce freeway noise to adjacent residential properties, to a maximum of 63 decibels during the day and 58 decibels at night, in line with the North East Link Environmental Management Framework (EMF), the highest level of traffic noise protection in Victoria.

When we’ll be working

We’ll be working during the day, although some night works will be required.

Our work hours are:

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

Night works can occur from Monday to Friday between 7pm to 6am.

There are strict controls in place to manage construction impacts when working at night including use of directional lighting and programming noisiest works to occur earlier in the evening.

We’ll inform residents prior to night works commencing and work to manage impacts from construction activity.

What to expect

We’ll be working in Mountain View Road from late March 2025 to early 2026.

You’ll notice workers and construction vehicles on Mountain View Road initially, however once the temporary noise walls are installed, trucks and machinery will be accessing our worksite from the freeway with works occurring behind the fencing.

During works, machinery including excavators, piling rigs and a cranes will be operating. You can expect increased levels of noise, dust and vibration at times near the worksite.

How we’ll manage impacts

Our project is managed in line with strict Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs).

You can expect medium to high levels of noise, dust and vibration while we work in Mountain View Road.

We’ll monitor and assess these impacts using real-time technology and we have a range of on-site measures in place including frequent water cart spraying of work areas with dust stabilisers and transporting material in sealed and secured loads.

We’ll work closely with impacted residents to manage and mitigate impacts from construction and provide updated information on our works including timing and extent of disruption.