Works are in full swing as we prepare for tunnelling to start from mid-2024.

In Watsonia, at the tunnel boring machine (TBM) launch box area near Lenola Street, the last of the TBM pieces have arrived via superload deliveries – with the massive machines to be assembled before tunnelling starts. The 40-metre-deep launch box has been fully excavated and the 550-tonne gantry crane has started lowering the TBM pieces from ground level into the box.

We will launch both of the TBMs on their journey from Watsonia towards Bulleen from the east side of Greensborough Road between Yallambie and Watsonia roads, with the first TBM launching in the middle of this year.

A large acoustic shed has been built at Winsor Reserve in Macleod. This will be where the dirt and rock dug out from the tunnels is loaded onto trucks. 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. The enclosed conveyor belt is being built with the 35-metre bridge structure over Greensborough Road installed.

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. 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.

The interchange will be built using the cut and cover tunnelling method. Over 400 diaphragm walls, known as D-walls, will be used to support the excavation of the tunnel entrance and exit at Lower Plenty Road.

Works are full steam ahead in Bulleen, as we get on with the construction of the tunnel walls at both our Manningham Road and Trinity Grammar Marles Playing Fields work sites.

Bulleen Road was moved in late 2023 to create space for the tunnel entrance and Yarra Link Green Bridge. Works are now focussed on constructing the Manningham Road interchange in Bulleen, with traffic changes in place until 2026 as we construct the tunnel on and off ramps.

We're also setting up work sites this year on corners of the Bulleen Road and Eastern Freeway intersection, as well as parts of Koonung Creek Reserve as weprepare to upgrade the Eastern Freeway and build a major new interchange at Bulleen Road to connect into the new North East Link tunnels. You’ll continue to see reduced speeds of 80 km/h during the day and 40km/h at night, on the Eastern Freeway between Burke Road and Tram Road, keeping drivers safe as they move past our works.

For upgrades to the M80 Ring Road, we’re setting up work sites along Greensborough Highway and the M80 Ring Road, with construction compounds at AK Lines Reserve and Gabonia Avenue Reserve, Watsonia soon operational. We’re starting to install roadside barriers to create safe working zones along the road network and have opened the Watsonia Station offset car park in Frensham Reserve. Upgrades will include new express lanes, smart traffic management technology, walking and cycling paths and a seamless connection with North East Link.

Urban Landscape and Planning designs for the Eastern Freeway and M80 Ring Road were exhibited for comment later this year, ahead of major construction this year. We’re working through the feedback now.

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 is expected to start from mid-2024.
• Construction on the Eastern Freeway Upgrades and M80 Ring Road Completion is expected to start from 2024.
• North East Link opens in 2028.