7 May 2006
We’re upgrading the Eastern Freeway with new express lanes, new Eastern Busway, smart technology and a connection to North East Link — slashing travel times and improving travel in Melbourne’s east.
From Tram Road to Springvale Road we’ll ease bottlenecks, upgrade entry and exit ramps, and install a new Intelligent Transport System. We’ll also upgrade Koonung Creek Trail, improve bridges and underpasses and return improved open spaces.
When complete, the Eastern Freeway Upgrades will connect seamlessly with the new 6.5 kilometre North East Link — linking Melbourne’s east with the M80 Ring Road, slashing travel times by 35 minutes and taking 15,000 trucks off local roads a day.
Easing the bottleneck between Tram Road and Middleborough Road
An improved lane layout will make this section of the freeway easier to use. New entry and exit ramps and dedicated lanes for local trips, through trips and express trips will separate traffic to ease congestion and improve traffic flow.
Better access to Eram Park
Two new bridges at Eram Road and Koonung Creek will improve walking and cycling connections to Eram Park, Koonung Creek Trail and surrounding pathways.
The existing bridge at Eram Road will remain open for people to use while we build the new bridge.
Improved entries to Koonung Creek Trail
New landscaped bridge entries with seats and new trees and plants will provide places to stop, meet and rest. Improved signage will also make it easier for people to find their way.
Where Koonung Creek Trail connects to Tram, Middleborough, Surrey and Springvale roads, new trees and plants will make these entry points more welcoming.
Upgraded Koonung Creek Trail and underpasses
The existing Koonung Creek Trail underpasses at Station Street and Wetherby, Blackburn, and Springvale roads will be upgraded with better surface treatments, landscaping, planting and lighting to make them more enjoyable and safer to use.
More than 1.6 kilometres of Koonung Creek Trail will also be upgraded with improved surfaces and new trees and plants.
Koonung Road and Cabena Street bridge improvements
We’re lowering the freeway so the existing bridges at Koonung Road and Cabena Street can be kept instead of demolished and replaced. This will keep existing trees, reduce construction disruption and preserve these two architecturally significant landmarks.
A new set of stairs on the south side of the Cabena Street bridge, and a new path on the south side of the Koonung Road bridge will provide better connections to Koonung Creek Trail for pedestrians and cyclists.
Eram Park improvements
Areas of Eram Park needed to support construction will be returned with open lawns and improvements including more trees and plants and better access to green spaces from Eram Road bridge and Koonung Creek Trail.
Koonung Creek enhancement
Additional trees, shrubs and grasses along Koonung Creek between Eram Park and Junction Road Reserve will enhance existing sections of the creek.
A 180-metre section of Koonung Creek in Eram Park will also be moved away from construction areas and landscaped with new trees, plants and natural rock edges. The location for the creek has been improved from the EES design for more natural light, space for trees and plants, and a better connection with Koonung Creek Trail. Moving the creek here also avoids this section needing to run under the freeway, ensuring it remains accessible to the community.
Junction Road Reserve open space returned
Areas of Junction Road Reserve needed to support construction will be returned with new open grassed areas, more trees and plants, and a better connection to Koonung Creek Trail at Springvale Road.
Designed to meet Victoria's toughest traffic noise standard
In response to community feedback, we'll also meet a quieter standard of 58 decibels at night — a first for a road project in Victoria.
For the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Tram Road to Springvale Road, the noise standard will be met using a range of measures including noise-reducing asphalt to manage noise at the source and building 3.5 kilometres of new noise walls.
Where possible the existing, high‑quality concrete noise walls will be kept to avoid construction disruption and keep existing trees.
Where new noise walls are needed, they will be between six and 10 metres tall. 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 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.
Upgrading the Eastern Freeway
Traffic barriers are now in place on the Eastern Freeway from Hoddle Street to Springvale Road with long term speed reductions in place and changed traffic conditions.
To create space for future upgrades we’ve built temporary ramps at Tram, Middleborough and Springvale roads.
While we work, sections of the Koonung Creek Trail will be closed with detours in place. You may also notice construction vehicles and equipment in your area and changed conditions on local roads.
Key dates
Improving your journey
The Eastern Freeway Upgrades will overhaul how one of Melbourne's busiest freeways works.
Up to 180,000 vehicles a day rely on the Eastern Freeway. Currently during the peak, travel speeds through the busiest sections from Chandler Highway to Middleborough Road can be as slow as 45km/h, with some of the worst congestion around entry and exit ramps.
The upgraded Eastern Freeway will work smarter and faster. Dedicated lanes for express trips, the Eastern Busway and ramp upgrades will fix bottlenecks and keep traffic moving. Peak hour travel speeds will increase from 45km/h to more than 85km/h, and 100km/h in the off peak.
Project benefits
Heading into the city?
Save up to 11 minutes.
Heading north?
Save up to 35 minutes and skip 18 sets of traffic lights between the Eastern Freeway and the M80 Ring Road.
Getting ready to fly?
No traffic lights between EastLink and Melbourne Airport – and avoid inner city traffic.
Truck or delivery driver?
Eastern Freeway Upgrades and north East Link mean faster and more reliable travel times.
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