We’re upgrading the Eastern Freeway, building Melbourne’s first dedicated express busway and upgrading the Doncaster Park and Ride.

What we're doing

From Sunday 12 January 2025, we'll close the remaining car spaces at Doncaster Park and Ride for major upgrades to the park and ride and the Eastern Freeway. As part of these works, a temporary Ringwood-bound entry ramp to the Eastern Freeway will be built to maintain access for freeway users while we build the new Doncaster Road bridge. To prepare the site for major construction, we'll be installing barriers and fencing around the worksite, conducting site investigations to further understand ground conditions, relocating utility services, and constructing hard surfaces for cranes, piling rigs and other heavy machinery. Local residents will be kept informed of construction impacts and what to expect at the site as works progress to get ready for the new Doncaster Park and Ride and busway to open in 2028.

Works include:

• removing the kerb and centre island between Doncaster Road and the service road
• reducing the width of a section of the service road to create extra space for the new bus stops
• installing a retaining wall between Doncaster Road and the service road
• installing bus shelters, tactiles, signage and line markings
• upgrading the existing High Street/ Doncaster Road bus stop by lowering the footpath to extend the bus
  bay.

Where and when

Day works: 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 1pm Saturdays

At times, we may need to work at the Doncaster Park and Ride worksite outside of these hours. We'll let you know ahead of time when extended hours or night works are required. Workers will have access into the Doncaster Park and Ride worksite 24/7.

What to expect

• Removal of on-street parking along the park and ride side of Hender Street * Removal of some trees and vegetation within the Doncaster Park and Ride site, and along Hender Street before the installation of barriers and fencing * Removal of kerbs and old park and ride infrastructure
• Site investigations, including digging with a high-pressure hose, and accessing pits in preparation of utility relocations
• Digging and placement of crushed rock to prepare the site for piling pads and hardstand areas

As we do these works you may notice:

• Construction vehicles, trucks and workers in the area accessing the site via Doncaster Road and Hender Street
• Traffic controllers and directional signage
• Noise, vibration and dust from machinery and equipment
• Storage of construction materials and equipment

The project’s environment team will actively monitor and manage these construction impacts to ensure best practise is applied throughout construction.

Catching buses during construction

To ensure locals can continue to access buses during construction of the new Doncaster Park and Ride from early 2025, the new Bulleen Park and Ride was built 4 years early.

With 370 parking spaces, drop and go bays, secure bicycle parking and improved walking and cycling connections to Koonung Creek Trail, locals will remain connected to bus services during works.

Buses will continue to run via the newly built temporary bus stops on Doncaster Road, between Hender/High Street and Harcourt Street, a 4-minute walk from the park and ride.

Bus timetable changes

There will be changes to bus timetables from Sunday 12 January 2025. We encourage passengers to plan their journey. Further information, including revised bus timetables, will be available via ptv.vic.gov.au

Keeping in touch

We’ll be out talking to nearby residents and businesses about these works in more detail, including how we’ll be managing any local impacts. As works on the Eastern Freeway Upgrades progress, we've started sending out weekly email updates with specific details on night works to ensure that residents have the latest information on upcoming night works near you. If you would like to be included in the weekly email, please call us on 1800 105 105 or email us at contact@easternbta.com.au to sign up.

Map of works area

The 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.