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

As we prepare to open a new wider and safer Estelle Street bridge in Bulleen, we'll demolish the old bridge over the Eastern Freeway.

To safely remove the old bridge, we'll close the Eastern Freeway in both directions between Bulleen and Doncaster roads from 10pm, Friday 7 November to 5am, Monday 10 November.

Delays of up to 90 minutes are expected during peak travel times. We encourage motorists to avoid the area during the closure, seek alternative routes and allow extra time when planning your journey.

To safely open the bridge for the public and to avoid lengthier freeway disruptions, there will be a period of up to three weeks with no walking or cycling access across the freeway near Estelle Street, Bulleen and Carron Street, Balwyn North.

A walking and cycling detour will be in place via Bulleen Road or Doncaster Road, but due to the length of the detour an accessible shuttle will operate between Estelle Street and Carron Street to help locals navigate the detour.

The shuttle will run every 30 minutes from 7am to 6pm, starting Saturday 8 November until late November.

In the leadup to this disruption, we’ll place signage at key decision points near the bridge and our community engagement team will be out on the trail speaking with path users.

While the freeway is closed, we'll work to:

• move safety barriers and set up a safe working area
• demolish and remove the old Estelle Street Bridge
• remove the existing Bulleen Road bridge footpath and barriers on the east side of the bridge (no change to current pedestrian access)
• continue marking and asphalting works on the Bulleen Road entry and exit ramps, the Doncaster Road citybound entry ramp and along the Ringwood-bound lanes between Bulleen and Doncaster roads
• install drainage between Bulleen Road and Doncaster Road
• complete utility works in Koonung Creek Reserve and on the freeway
• continue piling activities for new noise walls on the Bulleen Road citybound exit ramp
• continue tunnelling at Estelle Street to relocate the Koonung Creek Main Sewer

Where and when

24-hour works

From 10pm, Friday 7 November to 5am, Monday 10 November, we'll work 24/7 on the freeway between Bulleen and Doncaster roads. Please note that these dates and times are subject to change.

What to expect

• Eastern Freeway closed between Bulleen Road and Doncaster Road in both directions from 10pm, Friday 7 November to 5am, Monday 10 November. Detours will be in place, please see map below.
• Significant delays of up to 90 minutes are expected, particularly during midday peaks on Saturday and Sunday.
• During works, the following freeway entry ramps will be closed to help ease traffic congestion:
  • Chandler Highway Ringwood-bound
  • Elgar Road citybound
  • Middleborough Road citybound
  • Blackburn Road citybound
  • Springvale Road citybound.
• No parking or stopping allowed along Doncaster Road between Greythorn and Burke roads and at the intersection of Doncaster and Burke roads.
• Right-turn bans in place at key intersections on Doncaster Road to help ease traffic congestion:
  • Thompsons Road into Manningham Road
  • Manningham Road into High Street – Doncaster Road into Elgar Road
  • Doncaster Road into Tram Road
• Bus routes 906, 907, and 908 will be affected by temporary stop closures and detoured routes during the closure.
• Construction vehicles, machinery, equipment and workers in the area.
• Directional lighting used while working at night to reduce light spill.
• Medium levels of noise, dust and vibration from machinery and equipment.
• No pedestrian access across the freeway between Estelle Street, Doncaster and Carron Street, Balwyn North until late November 2025. Accessible shuttle and detour in place.
• Inclement weather may impact the schedule of works. Should weather impact these works, works will be rescheduled and the community will be notified.

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.

Keeping in touch

We’ll be out talking to nearby residents about these works in more detail, including changes to traffic conditions, driveway access and how we'll be managing any local impacts. If you have any questions now, please contact the 24/7 Contact Centre on 1800 105 105.

Schedule is subject to change. Visit the disruptions map for changes or for more information call 1800 105 105 or visit the Project Information Centre at 284 Doncaster Road, Balwyn North.