Tunnelling for Melbourne’s longest twin-tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen is complete. We’ll keep working underground to get the tunnels ready to open in 2028.

North East Link tunnels

North East Link will fix the missing link in Melbourne’s freeway network, reducing travel times by up to 35 minutes and providing a direct route for up to 15,000 trucks a day from local roads. The new North East Link tunnels will take traffic and trucks under our suburbs, giving local roads back to local people. New parklands and better walking and cycling paths will be built, transforming Greensborough Road into a tree-lined boulevard.

Construction progress

With tunnelling complete, we’re fitting out the tunnels with the electrical and safety systems needed for opening. Construction of the Motorway Control Centre is underway to monitor traffic, with work on the Manningham Road interchange continuing, including road, drainage and gantry signage works.

• 12,000 jobs created
• New Eastern Busway for faster bus trips
• Upgrading Doncaster Park & Ride and building new Bulleen Park & Ride
• 50 MCGs of open space
• More than 30,000 trees planted
• 34km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths.

M80 Ring Road Completion

Seamlessly connecting the M80 Ring Road to the new North East Link tunnels. Once complete, traffic will continue from the M80 under a new Grimshaw Street interchange and two new landscaped bridges at Elder Street and Watsonia Road into the tunnels.

Construction progress

The new Greensborough Bypass interchange is taking shape, with major piers and bridges installed to connect the bypass to the M80. New bridges over Yando Street underpass and Kempston Street are now open to traffic. Works are underway at the new Grimshaw Street interchange, with some traffic diversions expected. Excavation is progressing beneath the new Watsonia Road and Elder Street bridges to build the new lanes into the tunnel.

Eastern Freeway Upgrades

This major overhaul from Hoddle Street to Springvale Road will fix the previous bottlenecks, bring the Eastern Freeway up to modern standards, and create a seamless connection to the North East Link tunnels.

Construction progress

The new Bulleen interchange is taking shape, after completing one of Australia’s biggest ever transport beam lifts. Major works are underway across the Eastern Freeway, including new bridges, lanes, ramps and noise walls, with more freeway and ramp closures expected in 2026.

Eastern Busway

The Bulleen and Doncaster park and rides will connect to 11 kilometres of new dedicated busway, improving public transport in Melbourne’s east. Travel times will be up to 30 per cent faster for more than 6 million bus trips a year. The Eastern Busway is on track to open in 2028.

Sports upgrades

The project supported 20,000 players from 34 sporting clubs and associations who are already getting the benefits from upgrades to sporting grounds across the Melbourne’s north east. And there’s still more coming. Bulleen Park upgrade is underway, which will provide the local clubs with three upgraded ovals and two new elevated pavilions which forms part of $100 million investment.

Completed projects

• Elgar Park, Mont Albert North
• Ford Park, Bellfield
• Binnak Park, Watsonia North
• Greensborough College, Greensborough
• Veneto Club, Bulleen
• GW Sports Club, Glen Waverley
• Powerful Owl Park, Bulleen
• Montmorency Park, Montmorency.

Greener north east

North East Link is delivering one of Victoria’s largest tree planting programs for a major transport project, with more than 30,000 trees to be planted.

Since 2020, more than 7300 trees have already been planted across nearly 20 suburbs in Melbourne’s north and east, with thousands more to come.

North East Community Fund

The $10 million community fund is supporting strong and vibrant communities across the north east.

Since launching in 2022, more than 300 community projects valued at over $8.5 million have been supported including community festivals and events, environmental and sustainable programs, and infrastructure upgrades.

1800 105 105 (call anytime) | community@northeastlink.vic.gov.au

For languages other than English please call 9209 0147. If you need assistance due to a hearing or speech impairment, visit relayservice.gov.au