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’re also delivering a tough new noise standard. We’ll be building new and upgraded noise walls to meet a stringent daytime noise standard of 63 decibels. This is in line with the highest level of traffic noise protection in Victoria.

The first stage of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Burke Road to Tram Road will deliver more than 11 kms of new and improved noise walls. This includes upgrading the noise walls along Sargent Street, Doncaster.

Noise walls are designed with residents in mind to protect privacy, reduce traffic noise and allow for natural light. We'll share images, specifications and the new noise wall design with residents, once designs are finalised in 2025.

What to expect

From early 2025, we'll begin setting up our worksite in Sargent Street, to eventually install a new retaining wall and noise walls and vegetation.

You'll notice trucks and machinery behind safety barriers, as well as some on-site facilities for our workers.

We'll be using machinery such as excavators, piling rigs and a crane, which will generate medium to high levels of noise, dust and vibration at times.

Works to upgrade the noise walls will occur in the following stages:

Stage 1 – Preparing for construction (early 2025)

To start, we’ll:

• install temporary drainage
• relocate underground services
• install temporary lighting
• remove the existing noise wall
• temporarily widen a section of Sargent Street to ensure residential access is maintained throughout our works
• build hardstands and access tracks from the freeway
• install temporary noise walls for works to safely take place behind barriers.

Stage 2 – Piling (mid 2025)

To create the foundations for the new retaining wall and noise wall, we’ll use a technique called bored piling.

We’ll then install the retaining walls and secure them in place using soil nails spaced every few metres. We expect this stage of work to generate medium to high levels of noise, dust and vibration.

Stage 3 – Installing the noise walls (late 2025 – mid 2026)

The new noise walls will be installed by lifting in pre-cast panels using a crane positioned on the freeway.

We’ll then begin works to reinstate Sargent Street including removing the temporary widening, restoring impacted nature strips, installing permanent drainage and planting trees and vegetation along the new noise wall.

We’ll be working in Sargent Street until mid 2026.

Keeping Sargent Street open

To provide room for large machinery required to safely remove and build the noise walls and retaining walls, we'll need to extend the worksite into Sargent Street. To keep access for residents, the road will temporarily widen and occupy parts of the nature strip on Sargeant Street.

During this time, traffic will be reduced down to one lane with two-way access in this section of the street. On-street parking will be removed on both sides of the street for the duration of works. The temporary traffic arrangement will be in place until the noise walls are completed by mid 2026.

How we’ll manage impacts

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

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

We’ll work closely with residents to manage construction impacts and provide updated information on our works including the timing and extent of disruptions.

This timeline is subject to change.