9 October 2023
Design Update: Urban Design and Landscape Plan
We’re completing the M80 Ring Road, delivering new lanes through to Plenty Road and a seamless connection to the North East Link Tunnels – taking 19,000 cars and trucks a day off Greensborough Road and giving local roads back to local people.
In response to community feedback, we’ve created more space for trees and plants at new interchanges and improved the locations for upgraded walking and cycling bridges. We’re also building 2 wide, landscaped bridges at Elder Street and Watsonia Road to deliver the safer, easier connections local people have told us they need to get to Watsonia Station and shops.
Before we get major construction underway, we’re exhibiting an Urban Design and Landscape Plan to ask the community what they think of the look and feel of what’s planned for their area. This includes new walking and cycling paths, bridges, underpasses, wetlands and improvements to local roads.
- 14km of new lanes on the M80 Ring Road
- 10km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths
- 8 new and upgraded bridges, underpasses and crossings
- 4000+ trees planted
- 19,000 cars and trucks off Greensborough Road a day
Maps in this fact sheet
- M80 Ring Road and Ring Road interchange
- Grimshaw Street interchange
- Watsonia Station and Town Square
To view the Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) in detail, visit Engage Victoria.
Download the fact sheet to view the maps in this fact sheet in detail.
The Ring Road Completion will seamlessly connect the M80 Ring Road to the North East Link Tunnels, passing through traffic under a new Grimshaw Street interchange and landscaped bridges at Elder Street and Watsonia Road.
Upgraded M80 Ring Road
Five new lanes and smart technology from Plenty Road to a new M80 Ring Road interchange will deliver faster, safer trips for drivers.
Macorna Street bridge
A wider, safer bridge will improve local connections for pedestrians and cyclists. In response to community feedback, we’ve moved the bridge further away from homes and created more space for trees and plants.
Simpler M80 Ring Road interchange
We’re removing the traffic lights at the M80 Ring Road interchange to ease congestion and slash travel times. The new interchange will seamlessly connect the M80 Ring Road to the Greensborough Bypass, an upgraded Greensborough Road for local trips and express lanes to the new North East Link Tunnels in Watsonia.
New Ring Road wetlands
A smarter lane layout for the new M80 Ring Road interchange has created more space for trees, plants and new wetlands.
The wetlands will store and clean rain water and create a new habitat area between Plenty Gorge and Plenty River.
Underpasses at Yando and Kempston streets
New brighter and wider walking and cycling underpasses will be built at Yando Street, Greensborough and Kempston Street, Watsonia to help locals get around. The Kempston Street underpass will also be kept open for cars.
New Grimshaw Street interchange
Through traffic will pass under Grimshaw Street, with dedicated lanes kept for local trips. A bus priority lane will improve public transport travel times.
Two new underpasses will create safer journeys for pedestrians and cyclists. We’ve also created more space for trees and plants.
Improved green spaces for Trist Street Reserve and AK Lines Reserve
Trist Street Reserve, Watsonia North and AK Lines Reserve, Watsonia will be upgraded with new wetlands, indigenous trees and plants, walking and cycling paths, noise walls and seats.
Nell Street bridge
A new, wider Nell Street walking and bike bridge will create better east-west connections for locals. In response to community feedback, we’ve moved the bridge further south for a shorter, more direct crossing.
Nell Street kept for local trips
In response to community feedback, we've kept 2-way access at Nell Street.
Thompson, Temby and Nepean streets will become cul-de-sacs to make space for new walking and cycling paths, noise walls and planting. New shared zones will give residents access to homes on Greensborough Road.
Greensborough Road
Greensborough Road will be rebuilt on both sides of new express lanes for the North East Link Tunnels for quicker, easier local trips to shops, schools and public transport.
Landscaped bridges for Watsonia
Two new landscaped bridges at Watsonia Road and Elder Street will make it easier for locals to get to Watsonia Station, shops and community spaces. Generous space for plants and walking and cycling paths will provide better access to the new Watsonia Town Square and future upgrades to parking at Watsonia Station.
Watsonia Station car park
Watsonia Station will get a new car park and better connections for bikes and buses. This will be part of a future UDLP process with opportunity for community feedback on the design.
As part of the North East Link Program, we're providing $5.5 million in funding for Banyule Council's new Watsonia Town Square.
A better noise standard for local residents
The Ring Road Completion will deliver a tough new 63 decibel noise standard – upgrading existing and building new noise walls.
The 63 decibel noise standard is consistent with the highest level of traffic noise protection in Victoria.
In response to community feedback we’re also introducing a new, quieter 58 decibel standard to provide residents with even greater protection from traffic noise at night – a first for a road project in Victoria.
Where new noise walls are needed, they will be between three and nine metres tall and designed to protect privacy while allowing natural light.
Colours for new noise walls are drawn from the local environment using a natural palette of earthy soil and rock, bushland greens and native florals. Materials include a mix of weathering steel and semitransparent acrylic.
Returning improved spaces after construction
To build the Ring Road Completion, construction compounds are needed at AK Lines Reserve and Gabonia Avenue Reserve.
In response to community feedback, we’ve reduced the size of the compounds and will be returning improved spaces at the end of construction.
At AK Lines Reserve, we’ll upgrade the oval road, parking and viewing areas. Gabonia Avenue Reserve will have extra trees and plants and the off-leash dog area will be returned.
Completing the M80 Ring Road
While we’re refining the design through the Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP), you’ll see us out and about getting ready for major works.
Throughout late 2023 and early 2024, we’ll be setting up site compounds at AK Lines Reserve and Gabonia Avenue Reserve – getting ready for major construction to start.
Work is also underway to build temporary parking for Watsonia Station in the power line easement in Frensham Reserve.
To stay up to date on works in your area, sign up for updates.
The Ring Road Completion will be timed to open around the same time as the North East Link Tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen and the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Hoddle Street to Springvale Road.
Timeline
Download the fact sheet to view the North East Link construction timeline.
Tree planting program
To build the new interchanges, bridges, underpasses and noise walls, trees will need to be removed where we're working.
For every tree removed, at least 2 will be planted. We've also started planting early in local places nearby including parks, reserves and schools.
- 4000+ new trees will be planted for the Ring Road Completion
Help shape designs for your local area
The Urban Design and Landscape Plan for the Ring Road Completion is on exhibition now.
The UDLP has detailed maps and drawings of the project design and an explanation of how it meets the strict requirements in place for North East Link.
Making a submission is your opportunity to have a say on local elements for your area including new walking and cycling paths, bridges, underpasses, wetlands and improvements to local roads. We’ll be using what we hear to finalise the UDLP before submitting it to the Minister for Planning for approval and getting major construction underway.
Where to see the plan
You can find out more about the UDLP and see a copy online from Monday 9 October to 5pm, Sunday 29 October 2023 at Engage Victoria or visit a display and talk with our team at:
Watsonia Hub
- Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm
- Saturday, 10am to 2pm
You can also view the UDLP at local council offices and libraries. Visit Engage Victoria to find a location near you.
How to make a submission
Make your submission online at Engage Victoria by 5pm, Sunday 29 October 2023.
If you need help accessing the UDLP, or to make a submission, please contact us on 1800 105 105 or at community@northeastlink.vic.gov.au
Please contact us if you would like this information in an accessible format. If you need assistance due to a hearing or speech impairment, contact Relay Service.