Work ramping up on the Eastern Freeway – March 2026

9 April 2026

Underground power relocation works between Tram and Middleborough roads - Underground power relocation works between Tram and Middleborough roads

As part of North East Link, we're upgrading the Eastern Freeway with new traffic management technology, express lanes and express busway.

On the Tram to Springvale section of the Eastern Freeway, we've been working day and night to set up safe construction zones in the centre median and to build construction compounds in Eram Park and Junction Road Reserve.

To prepare for major construction later this year, we've relocated overhead and underground utilities, installed traffic barriers, built temporary ramps and closed sections of the Koonung Creek Trail.

We'll continue works to remove noise walls ahead of permanent noise wall installation, build sewer shafts and excavate large amounts of soil to create space to widen the freeway.

There will be upcoming changes to the Koonung Creek Trail in the Linear Reserve as we work to establish creek crossings and works areas before realigning the creek later this year. We'll provide more information about this in future updates.

New and ongoing works between Tram Road and Springvale Road

Works map from Tram and Springvale roads for the Eastern Freeway Upgrades - March 2026

We've installed traffic barriers between Tram and Springvale roads, with speeds reduced to 80km/h on the freeway.

We've also worked at night on the freeway to remove the centre median, lay asphalt and built temporary ramps at Tram Road, Middleborough Road and Springvale Road to create space for future upgrades.

In early 2026 we'll progressively switch traffic onto new temporary pavement and ramps while we continue to relocate utilities and start to build permanent freeway lanes.

We've opened a construction compound in Eram Park, Box Hill North and started construction of a compound in Junction Road Reserve, Nunawading.

The compounds will support construction activities and include office buildings, equipment storage, worker facilities and have direct access from the freeway.

We've started building temporary construction vehicle crossings over sections of the Koonung Creek in Koonung Linear Park. In early 2026, sections of the creek will be dewatered to create a safe, dry working area using a pump system and small dams.

Later this year we'll begin works to realign sections of the creek and prepare to build a new walking and cycling bridge.

The creek will be monitored throughout works to protect wildlife and control erosion and sediment.

To create space for new ramps and noise walls, we’ve closed a section of the Koonung Creek Trail south of the Eastern Freeway, in Box Hill North to create a safe works area.

We’ve built temporary noise walls and started to remove existing noise walls to make space for future freeway widening works. We'll soon start works to relocate a sewer between the pedestrian bridge and Middleborough Road.

Managing construction impacts

As with any major construction project, there will be times when our work activities unavoidably impact residents and businesses close to the project.

We have environmental controls in place to help minimise the impacts. It's been a dry summer and we've taken action to avoid generating dust as much as possible, including using water carts and hoses during earthworks.

We’ll work closely with impacted residents to provide advance notice of disruptive works.

Making space for freeway upgrades

In early January we closed the Eastern Freeway to build a trench and install high voltage power cables under the freeway.

This was a huge undertaking, with crews working around the clock in difficult conditions to build a 2.3m deep, 55m long trench between Tram and Middleborough roads.

Despite the heat, high winds and storms, we were able to install 18 high voltage cables under the freeway, future-proofing the power network for the community.

These works were a continuation of overhead and underground power line relocations on the Koonung Creek Trail and in Eram Park which will be ongoing until mid 2026.

In addition, piling works have commenced in Eram Park to build sewer shafts and relocate sections of the sewer network.

We'd like to thank the community for their patience during these important works.

Backyard tree planting program

We're giving away up to 250 native trees to help locals green their gardens as we upgrade the Eastern Freeway. This is on top of work already underway to plant at least 2 trees for every one removed to build the project.

While stocks last, residents near Eastern Freeway construction areas in Blackburn North, Box Hill North, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Donvale and Nunawading can register for free trees. Apply before 29 March 2026.

Come visit us

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.

Project Information Centre
284 Doncaster Road, Balwyn North
Open 9am to 3pm,
Tuesday to Thursday

Download

Work ramping up on the Eastern Freeway - March 2026 (PDF 4.4 MB)