1 September 2025
We’re upgrading the Eastern Freeway to improve transport in Melbourne’s east
New lanes, ramp upgrades and smart traffic technology will ease congestion, and a seamless connection with the new North East Link will cut travel times to the M80 Ring Road by up to 35 minutes.
The upgraded Eastern Freeway, North East Link and connecting M80 Ring Road upgrades will be designed and built to meet a daytime noise standard of 63 decibels. This is in line with the highest level of traffic noise protection in Victoria.
In response to community feedback, we'll also deliver a quieter 58 decibel standard at night — a first for a road project in Victoria.
New road surfaces and noise walls
From Tram Road to Springvale Road, quieter road surfaces, existing high-quality noise walls and 3.5 km of new noise walls will work together for the new Eastern Freeway noise standard.
More than 4.7 kilometres of noise reducing asphalt, also known as open-graded asphalt, will be laid to better manage noise. Open-graded asphalt works by using small air pockets in the surface of the road to absorb noise at the source.
Using open-graded asphalt will help keep many of the existing concrete noise walls, keep more existing trees and reduce construction impacts for residents.
New noise walls will be built in locations where:
- existing noise walls need to be moved to make space for new freeway lanes or improvements to entry and exit ramps
- existing gaps need to be filled.
Where possible, we’ll be working to install new noise walls or temporary noise walls before the existing walls are removed.
Noise wall designs
New noise walls have been designed with residents in mind to protect privacy, reduce traffic noise and allow for natural light.
Colours are drawn from the local environment using a natural palette of earthy soil, clay and stone. Materials include a mix of recycled plastic panels moulded using textures and patterns to complement the existing concrete walls, and semi‑transparent acrylic panels where natural light is needed.
Recycled plastic is a highly dense material with excellent sound absorption qualities and makes the project more sustainable. It also means new noise walls are lighter, so they can be installed more easily, with less heavy machinery and less disruption.
Where existing trees need to be removed to build new noise walls at Eram Park, Junction Road Reserve and along Koonung Creek Trail, new trees and plants will help screen and filter views.
Monitoring to ensure compliance
As part of developing the road design, noise monitoring and assessments in the local area will ensure the new noise standard will be met. Traffic noise will also be monitored once the Eastern Freeway Upgrades are complete.
If noise is higher than the required level, we will take action to reduce noise at the affected properties.
In response to community feedback, we’ve extended the amount of time noise will be monitored from 10 years after the project opens to 20 years, with results made available to the community online.
Find out more on our Environment Effects Statement page.
Decibel noise scale
1800 105 105 (call anytime). For languages other than English please call 9209 0147.
If you need assistance due to a hearing or speech impairment, please visit relayservice.gov.au