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.

As 2024 comes to a close, we’ve made substantial progress on critical early works, including setting up worksites, diverting Bulleen Road, and temporarily relocating the Bulleen Road citybound entry ramp. These efforts have been essential in preparing for major construction activities to begin next year.

• Installed 17.5km of safety barriers across the project
• Built 227 piles so far for the new Bulleen Road interchange
• Offered 1,000 native trees to residents as part of the Backyard Tree Planting Program
• Completed Piling of the north abutment of the new Estelle Street bridge, piling for the southern abutment and central pier are also nearing completion
• Built 2km of walking and cycling paths around our worksites
• Started Concrete pours to build structures to protect Koonung Creek
• Employed almost 400 new people on the project this year
• Started Construction of the new Eastern Busway

Super T's coming to Bulleen

In December, we realigned the Bulleen Road citybound entry ramp to the south to create space needed to start building a new shared walking and cycling underpass. This underpass will run beneath the citybound ramps and Bulleen Road bridge, connecting Viewpoint Road and the Koonung Creek Trail. It will provide a safer route by separating pedestrians and cyclists from vehicles.

In January, we’ll start lifting the first of 104 Super T's into place for the future Bulleen Road, north of the freeway. These beams, each weighing between 64 and 126 tonnes, will support the base of the elevated section of Bulleen Road. Next year, crews will begin work to build the bridge deck before moving traffic onto the new road.

Once fully complete, the new Bulleen Road will feature up to eight lanes, allowing for safer and more efficient travel for thousands of drivers moving through the area.

What is a Super T?

Upcoming changes to Thompsons Road

As part of the new Bulleen Road interchange, we need to widen Thompsons Road. In late January, we’ll work around the clock to shift traffic further north on Thompsons Road. This will create space for new work areas, enabling us to widen the northern section of the Bulleen Road bridge. We’ll also begin building sections of the three flyover bridges connecting the North East Link tunnels to the Eastern Freeway.

Changes to Doncaster Park and Ride

An upgraded Doncaster Park and Ride

As part of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades, we're building a new Doncaster Park and Ride and connecting it to Melbourne’s first dedicated busway, improving public transport in Melbourne’s east.

The upgrade includes three new bus platforms, express connection to the Eastern Busway and multi-level parking for 435 cars. There will also be new drop and go parking spots and upgraded walking and cycling connections.

In January, the Doncaster Park and Ride car park will close for major construction as we build a temporary freeway ramp and rebuild the Doncaster Road/Eastern Freeway interchange. Construction of your new park and ride will begin in late 2025.

To ensure locals can continue to access buses during construction of the new Doncaster Park and Ride from early 2025, the new Bulleen Park and Ride was built 4 years early. With 370 parking spaces, drop and go bays, secure bicycle parking and improved walking and cycling connections to Koonung Creek Trail, locals will remain connected to bus services during works.

Community engagement

Belle Vue Primary visit

In early November, the project team hosted an excursion for a group of Belle Vue Primary School students.

Students were treated to a bus tour through one of our worksites and saw machinery and equipment working to upgrade the Eastern Freeway.

As part of the experience, the students donned safety vests and hard hats, immersing themselves in the construction environment. They also visited the Kew Traffic School, where they gained further insights into traffic and road safety.

More tree donations

In October, we visited the Heide Museum of Modern Art to donate some mature gum trees (Eucalyptus Viminalis) to add to their ceremonial gathering and learning space at Yaluk Langa.

This gathering space will be a place for the Wurundjeri community to host events and perform traditional ceremonies.

Community Pop Up

In early December we held a Community Pop Up at the Koonung Creek Reserve playground.

We had free drinks, kids activities and project team members available to answer questions about the project’s progress and upcoming works.

Keeping you up to date

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.

Contact us:

You can also contact us on 1800 105 105 to speak to a member of the project team or to make an appointment to see us.

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