Victoria’s Big Build will hit exciting milestones on the Metro Tunnel, North East Link, level crossing removals and major road projects this spring, with commuters urged to plan ahead as work continues on the road and rail projects that will improve the way we travel.
Work on the West Gate Tunnel Project moves ahead with huge steel beams being installed to extend Wurundjeri Way and build a new bridge to connect to the new elevated Footscray Road – removing through traffic from the CBD and improving connectivity between the north, city, and western suburbs.
In a major step towards running test services through the Metro Tunnel in 2024, critical software upgrades will be completed over the coming months, with buses replacing trains on parts of the Sunbury, Cranbourne, Pakenham and Gippsland lines over 3 days in November.
The first of 2 massive Tunnel Boring Machines that will dig the North East Link Tunnels is on its way to Melbourne, causing some lane and road closures between the Port of Melbourne to Watsonia later this year.
Find out about the major planned disruptions coming up near you.
Inner Melbourne
Drivers coming into the city are urged to plan ahead with the Wurundjeri Way and Dudley Street intersection closed in both directions from early October until early December.
Work on the Metro Tunnel Project’s new State Library Station will close eastbound lanes of La Trobe Street between Elizabeth Street and Swanston Street from Monday 4 September for up to 12 months to safely remove tower cranes and deliver oversized entrance beams.
Buses will replace trams on Route 19 from Tuesday 21 November to Wednesday 29 November for construction on a super tram stop on Royal Parade to provide a better connection with the new Parkville Station.
Melbourne’s west
The West Gate Freeway and Princes Freeway will have some overnight closures between August and November while West Gate Tunnel gantries are installed.
Buses replace trains between North Melbourne and Sunshine on the Sunbury Line from Friday 24 November to Monday 27 November for signalling commissioning on the Metro Tunnel.
As major construction gets ready to gear up on Melbourne’s newest tram maintenance and stabling facility in Maidstone, the intersection of Hampstead, Williamson and Wests roads in Maidstone and Maribyrnong will be closed from Friday 6 October to Saturday 28 October. Buses replace trams on parts of Route 82 from Monday 7 October to Friday 11 October.
Melbourne’s north
On Melville Road in Brunswick West and Pascoe Vale South, buses will replace Route 58 trams between Royal Park Station and Bell Street stops and the road will be closed from Friday 8 September to Monday 18 September due to tram track renewal works.
Work on North East Link will prepare to start digging Victoria’s longest road tunnels next year – with overnight closures on Greensborough Road as the tunnel boring machine pieces are delivered. There will also continue to be intermittent lane closures on Manningham Road, Bulleen Road, Templestowe Road, and Bridge Street in Bulleen.
Important work by Metro Trains to upgrade and maintain the rail network will see buses replacing trains on sections of the Hurstbridge and Mernda lines from Saturday 23 September until Monday 25 September.
Buses will replace trains on sections of the Hurstbridge Line for 3 weeks in December and some weekends throughout spring while crews upgrade tracks, signalling and equipment in preparation to extend the rail tunnel beneath Greensborough Highway.
Melbourne’s east
Suburban Rail Loop will be constructing a new tram platform and end of the line stop in Box Hill with buses replacing trams on Route 109 between Union Road, Surrey Hills and Box Hill Central for nearly 3 weeks from October.
In Ringwood, level crossing removals will also continue at Bedford and Dublin roads to make Ringwood boom gate free, with Dublin Road closed at the crossing for 6 weeks from Tuesday 5 September, and work on the new fully accessible Ringwood East Station and nearly 500 upgraded commuter car parks progressing.
Important work by Metro Trains to upgrade and maintain the rail network will see buses replacing trains on sections of the Belgrave, Lilydale, Alamein lines from Saturday 23 September to Monday 25 September. Buses will replace trains on sections of the Lilydale Line at times throughout October.
Melbourne’s south east
As part of level crossing removal works, buses replace trains on sections of the Cranbourne Line at times in October, and the Frankston and Stony Point lines from 23 October to early November.
Due to Metro Trains upgrades, buses will replace trains on sections of the Sandringham Line for a week from 17 September and the Glen Waverley Line from Monday 23 September until Wednesday 25 September.
Camms Road, Cranbourne will be closed to traffic from Wednesday 18 October to late November.
There will be lane and local road closures due to work on the Princes Freeway and the intersection of Hall Road and Western Port Highway due to the Hall Road Upgrade.
Regional Victoria
As we upgrade every regional passenger line as part of the Regional Rail Revival program, there’ll be coaches replacing trains at times on the Shepparton, Gippsland, Geelong and Warrnambool lines between August and November.
Avoid delays and check before you travel
Check for up-to-date information on disruptions before you travel.