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

We’ve hit the ground running in 2025 with sites active across the full length of the Eastern Freeway between Burke and Tram Roads. Here’s what we’ve been up to over the past few months.

Super Ts have landed

In January, the first of our 104 Super T beams arrived and were lifted into place for the future Bulleen Road. Crews are continuing to install the beams and have started preparing to build the bridge deck.

In mid 2025, we’ll move traffic onto the new Bulleen Road bridge, north of the freeway, opening up areas for works to begin on the flyover structures.

Let us know how we’re going

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Express Busway starting to take shape

Works to build part of the Eastern Busway in Bulleen have been making steady progress. We've already installed 147 concrete piles to form the foundations of the busway bridge under the new Bulleen Road alignment.

We worked around the clock in February to build the deck of the bridge, which contains more than 91 concrete beams weighing in at around 10 tonnes each, and over 14m in length.

Next, we'll excavate under those beams to create the busway express lanes which will connect directly to the Bulleen Park and Ride.

A closer look at the Doncaster interchange

We’re transforming the Doncaster Road interchange to improve trips for cars, buses, pedestrians and cyclists. The new Doncaster Road bridge will be widened and elevated to allow room for the Eastern Busway below.

To keep traffic flowing in the area during works, we’re building the interchange in stages. We’ve started building half of the bridge structure, including foundations and temporary entry and exit freeway ramps, on the city-side of the bridge.

Once half of the bridge deck is built, we’ll switch all traffic lanes to the new bridge structure before we demolish the existing Doncaster Road bridge and start building the Ringwood-side of the bridge.

To carry out these works out safely, you can expect changed traffic conditions and intermittent impacts to both the freeway and ramps throughout 2025.

Building temporary ramps to keep you moving

We’re building temporary freeway ramps to allow traffic to continue entering and exiting the freeway while we build your new Doncaster Interchange.

We’re getting close to opening two of the four temporary freeway ramps, with construction to begin on the remaining two in mid to late 2025.

Important changes to the way you travel

Citybound lane changes

Between late March and mid 2025, the citybound lanes of the Eastern Freeway between Bulleen Road and Burke Road will be split into two sections. This will allow us to install critical drainage under the freeway. The same number of lanes and the 80 kilometre speed limit will remain.

You can expect more traffic changes along the freeway as works progress so we can move traffic and open up new work areas. For the latest information, please visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au/disruptions

Gazebo opening

We worked with the local Tai Chi group to install a new replacement gazebo at the Koonung Creek Reserve near Carron Street.

The new gazebo was open to the community on Friday 24 January 2025.

Timber reuse at Tecoma Primary School

Logs from the Eastern Freeway have been crafted into an outdoor classroom and nature play space at Tecoma Primary School as part of their 100th year celebrations.

This is just one way we’re making the most out of the logs collected from the project.

More than 1.8 million new plants, including over 10,000 trees, will be planted for the first stage of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Burke Road to Tram Road.

Laying foundations: Greythorn Primary excursion

In February and March, the project team hosted Greythorn Primary School students on a series of excursions to learn more about the Eastern Freeway Upgrade.

As part of the experience, students travelled by bus to the Project Information Centre to ask questions about the project and upcoming works.

Students were also taken to a site compound to see construction equipment up close, and to learn about how major projects are planned and managed safely.

Apply now for the Community Fund

Applications are now open for the North East Community Fund.

Funding is available for projects small and large - grants of up to $5,000 for equipment, up to $10,000 for one-off projects and up to $20,000 for festivals or events. There are also grants and partnerships up to $100,000 for improvements to infrastructure or open spaces.

If your community group has a great idea to bring people together, strengthen community bonds, or improve local sporting and event facilities, we’d love to hear from you.

Applications close 3pm Tuesday 29 April 2025 -  find out more and apply.

We're here to help

Our community engagement team will be out and about talking to people about works in their area and how we can support you during construction. You can also contact 1800 105 105 to speak to us or to make a time to meet with us.

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Come and visit us

Information centre opening hours

9am – 3pm Tues, Wed, Thurs

284 Doncaster Road, Balwyn North