Works are in full swing with tunnelling having officially started in mid-2024.
Our tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have officially launched from the 40-metre-deep launch box area in Watsonia.
TBM 'Zelda’, named after local legend and lifelong advocate for gender equality Zelda D'Aprano, started boring in August 2024 and is now carving out the northbound section of the North East Link tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen.
TBM 'Gillian’, named after Dr Gillian Opie, a pioneering neonatal paediatrician at the Mercy Hospital for Women, began its boring journey in October and is making its way towards Bulleen which will create the eastbound section of the tunnels.
A large acoustic shed was built at Winsor Reserve in Macleod. This is where the dirt and rock dug out from the tunnels are loaded onto trucks, through the recently constructed enclosed conveyor belt over Greensborough Road. All dirt excavated will be managed in line with EPA guidelines and will be taken off-site before it is either reused or disposed of.
At the Lower Plenty Road interchange, we are building the large foundation walls for the new on and off ramps to the North East Link tunnels near Oban Way in Yallambie. We are also continuing excavation at the southern end of our Lower Plenty site in preparation for the TBMs’ arrival and re-launch in 2025. After we finish this section of the tunnel, we’ll build the new Borlase Park Reserve on top of it, returning a vibrant green space to the local community.
In late 2023, we opened new lanes on Bulleen Road to create the space needed to begin work on the tunnel entrance at Bulleen. As you drive along Bulleen Road, you’ll notice earthworks taking place in the old lanes of Bulleen Road.
In mid-2024, Bulleen Road was relocated for a second time as part of the major Eastern Freeway upgrades. This change has been made to build the foundations for the entry and exit ramps that will connect the Eastern Freeway to the North East Link.
With safe work areas set up on the Eastern Freeway between Burke and Tram roads, we're ramping up our noise wall removal and utility relocation across the project. At our Bulleen worksite, piling and concrete works are ongoing to build the foundations for the new Bullen Road interchange. Along the freeway, we’re completing service and ground investigations for lighting, retaining walls and installing smart on-road technology. We’ll also continue to complete pavement works and shift barriers to prepare to move traffic onto new lanes later in the year. On Doncaster Road, changed traffic conditions are in place as we prepare to demolish and rebuild the Doncaster Road bridge, relocate critical utility services and undertake piling in this area.
For upgrades to the M80 Ring Road, work sites have been established along Greensborough Highway, Greensborough Bypass and the M80 Ring Road, with construction compounds at AK Lines Reserve and Gabonia Avenue Reserve in Watsonia. We’ve installed roadside barriers to create safe working zones along the road network and have opened the Watsonia Station offset car park in Frensham Reserve. In August 2024, we moved the intersection of Greensborough Highway and Watsonia Road to start building the Watsonia Road landscaped bridge and connection to the North East Link tunnels. Road bridge construction is now underway across the project, including for the new M80 Ring Road interchange. Utility services relocations are continuing across Watsonia and Greensborough, as we work on local roads, streets and paths to move underground and overhead services. Upgrades will include new express lanes to North East Link, 5 new lanes on the M80 Ring Road, and 10km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths.
Visit the Big Build Roads website to find out more about these 2 projects.
Construction timelines
- Early works for North East Link were completed in 2022.
- Construction on the North East Link tunnels started in late 2022.
- 2 delivery teams were appointed for the overhaul of the first part of the Eastern Freeway and the completion of the M80 Ring Road in late 2023.
- Tunnelling for North East Link started in August 2024.
- Construction on the Eastern Freeway Upgrades and M80 Ring Road Completion started in 2024.
- North East Link opens in 2028.
