North East Link will fix the missing link in our city's freeway network, taking up to 15,000 trucks a day off local roads and reducing travel times by up to 35 minutes. Tunnel excavation between Watsonia and Bulleen was completed in July, with both tunnel boring machines, Zelda and Gillian, broken through. This major milestone marks the transition to tunnel fit-out and finishing works.

What we'll be doing

Activities to support works within the excavated tunnels will take place 24/7. We’ll aim to minimise impacts as much as possible.

Transporting our TBMs from site

In September, oversized vehicles will be travelling to the Port of Melbourne via Bulleen Road, Manningham Road, Rosanna Road, Lower Plenty Road, Greensborough Road and the M80 between 10pm and 5am.

The oversize vehicle will travel at low speeds and stop frequently to cross existing infrastructure, temporarily remove traffic lights and lift overhead cables.

During this time, pilot vehicles and traffic management will be in place. Additional oversize vehicles will travel at times in October.

Oversize deliveries

We'll be delivering large pre-cast panel beams and Super-T beams that will form part of the southern ventilation structure and roof of the tunnel.

Deliveries will occur between 10pm and 5am, Monday to Friday, with up to 6 deliveries each night.

Most deliveries will arrive from the Eastern Freeway and Bulleen Road before entering our work site off Bulleen Road near the Carey Sports Complex.

Changes to traffic conditions in September

As part of works to support the ongoing construction of the Yarra Link green bridge, Bulleen Road will be temporarily closed. Detours will be in place.

From 7pm, Friday 18 September to 6am, Monday 5 October:

• Bulleen Road will be closed between the Veneto Club entrance and the Bulleen Park access road.

Works will continue over the AFL Grand Final weekend from 7pm, Thursday 24 September to 6am, Monday 28 September. Drivers can expect delays of up to 20 minutes during these works. Dates are weather and construction permitting. If works cannot go ahead on the scheduled dates, they will be rescheduled.

Managing construction impacts

Throughout our works, you may experience noise, light, dust, and vibration. We manage these impacts through real time monitoring, water carts and street sweepers, targeted lighting, and reducing noise and vibration within the construction zone.

You may notice workers on local streets capturing photos as part of our ongoing management of these impacts. We do this in conjunction with our modelling to ensure we have an accurate understanding of how these impacts may be felt in different areas. We will notify you before capturing any photos that include your property and we are happy to provide these photos upon request.

You may also see workers machinery in place, in and around construction areas, workers completing surveys in local streets and an increase of trucks removing dirt from our worksites.

To stay safe, please follow all instructions from signage and traffic controllers. We appreciate your patience and understanding throughout these works.

Upcoming disruptions across North East Link Program

Freeways, bridges and surrounding roads are starting to take shape above ground while tunnelling continues underground. Traffic disruptions are expected from Greensborough to the Eastern Freeway this September.

Upcoming disruptions include:

• Eastern Freeway closed between Bulleen and Springvale roads from 10pm, Friday 11 September to 5am, Monday 14 September
• Thompsons Road closed between Bulleen Road and the Thompsons Road Ringwood-bound entry ramp until mid September
• Bulleen Road city-bound entry ramp closed until mid September
• Doncaster Road Ringwood-bound entry ramp remains closed until late October
• Weekend and overnight closures of M80 Ring Road entry and exit ramps at Plenty Road will continue throughout September and October
• Grimshaw Street will be closed between Macorna Street and Greensborough Road from 9pm, Friday 11 September to 5am, Monday 14 September. Greensborough Bypass will remain open daily from 8am to 9pm with lane closures in place

Schedule is subject to change. Visit our disruptions map for schedule changes. For more information call 1800 105 105.

Text North East Link to 0499 073 073 to stay up to date on traffic disruptions in Bulleen, Macleod, Viewbank, Rosanna, Watsonia and Yallambie.