We're upgrading the Eastern Freeway with new express lanes, new traffic management technology, Melbourne's first express busway and a seamless connection to North East Link.

What we're doing

From mid-June, we'll begin setting up work areas in the Koonung Creek Linear Park between Kampman Street, Balwyn North and High Street, Doncaster so we can safely upgrade the Eastern Freeway. We'll create space to build the new freeway lanes, relocate major utility services, upgrade noise walls, and build a new Estelle Street shared use bridge.

As part of these works, we'll divert the Koonung Creek Trail onto local streets between Kampman Street and the Estelle Street Bridge. We'll also close the Koonung Creek Trail between Estelle Street Bridge and High Street from early July 2024 until late 2025. Pedestrians and cyclists are encouraged to use the Koonung Creek Trail on the southern side of the Eastern Freeway.

The Estelle Street Bridge will remain open during these works.

To prepare the area for works, we'll be:

• locating utility services along and near the Koonung Creek Trail
• installing fencing, with some access required via local streets, to secure work areas and reduce noise and visual impacts
• line-marking on Kampman Street, Furneaux Grove, Balwyn Street and Estelle Street to divert cyclists
• installing directional signage to safely guide pedestrians and cyclists around our work areas
• building a temporary shared path at the southern end of the Koonung Park Oval
• removing existing noise walls
• using chainsaws, excavators and mulchers to trim and remove vegetation and trees next to the freeway between Bulleen and Doncaster roads and some in the Koonung Creek Linear Park
• inspecting trees for wildlife before removal
• safely relocating animals found during tree removal works under the supervision of a project ecologist
• relocating a sewer in the Koonung Creek Linear Park between the Estelle Street Bridge and Park Avenue.

As works progress, there will be further changes to the Koonung Creek Trail east of Doncaster Road on both sides of the freeway. Please check signage along the trail for further information and available routes.

Where and when

Day works: 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 3pm Saturdays

We'll be working:

• in Koonung Creek Linear Park between Kampman Street and High Street from mid-June
• next to the freeway between Bulleen and Doncaster roads from late June
• on local streets including Kampman Street, Furneaux Grove, Balwyn Street, Estelle Street, Marjorie Close, Willow Bend, Park Avenue and Paul Street from early July
• at the southern end of the Koonung Park oval from September.

Night works: 7pm to 6am Monday to Friday

Some extended hours work may be required on dates to be confirmed. If we’re working at night or removing trees and vegetation near homes, we’ll let nearby residents know beforehand.

What to expect

During these works you'll notice:

• traffic controllers and signage to guide cyclists and pedestrians around our works
• short-term parking restrictions, speed reductions and lane closures on local streets to apply line marking and install fencing
• the closure of Koonung Creek Trail between the Estelle Street Bridge and High Street on the northern side of the freeway and no access to the Koonung Creek Linear Park
• longer travel times due to diversions in place
• a visual change due to tree removal and installation of timber fencing
• construction vehicles, machinery, equipment, and workers in the area
• medium to high levels of noise and vibration from machinery and equipment
• overnight lane closures and traffic management on the freeway while we remove trees at night
• use of directional lighting when working at night.

Managing impacts

We carefully manage our works in line with the project's strict environmental performance requirements including:

• working during the day, where possible
• installing noise reducing timber fencing to create safe work areas and reduce noise impacts for residents
• scheduling noisier works early in the evening, where possible
• monitoring noise and vibration levels with real time monitoring, when required
• minimising light spill with targeted lighting
• preventing dust and water runoff with environmental controls
• keeping the Estelle Street Bridge open throughout construction
• working behind barriers to keep our workers and road users safe.

Keeping in touch

If you have any questions, please contact the 24/7 Contact Centre on 1800 105 105. Our community engagement team will be speaking to local residents about these works in more detail.

Map of work area

Download the notification to view a larger map of the works area - PDF, 478.9 KB

Schedule is subject to change. Visit our work notices page for schedule changes. For more information call 1800 105 105 or visit the Hub at 17 Watsonia Road, Watsonia.