Across from Winsor Reserve on the east side of Greensborough Road, between Yallambie and Watsonia Roads, the 40-metre-deep launch box area was used to launch our tunnel boring machines (TBMs) for construction of the North East Link tunnels.

TBM 'Zelda,' named after local legend and lifelong advocate for gender equality Zelda D'Aprano, started boring in August 2024 and completed its journey in May 2026 after excavating the northbound tunnel from Watsonia to Bulleen.

TBM 'Gillian,' named after Dr Gillian Opie, a pioneering neonatal paediatrician at the Mercy Hospital for Women, began its journey in October 2024 and completed excavation of the southbound tunnel in July 2026.

The launch area, along with the large shed at the corner of Yallambie and Greensborough roads, played a critical role in supporting construction of Victoria’s longest tunnels. During tunneling, the shed stored concrete segments used to form the tunnel walls and supported the handling and transport of excavated dirt and rock from the tunnel.

Work is now focused on the next stage of construction as crews fit out the tunnels ahead of opening in 2028.