We’re upgrading the Eastern Freeway with new express lanes, new traffic management technology, Melbourne’s first express busway and a seamless connection to North East Link.
What’s happening
As we prepare to open the new walking and cycling bridge at Estelle Street, Bulleen to the public in late 2025, we will demolish the old bridge over the Eastern Freeway.
To safely remove the old bridge, we'll close the Eastern Freeway in both directions between Bulleen and Doncaster roads from 10pm, Friday 7 November to 5am, Monday 10 November.
To safely open the bridge and avoid lengthier freeway disruptions, there will be a period of up to 3 weeks with no walking or cycling access across the freeway near Estelle Street, Bulleen and Carron Street, Balwyn North. A walking and cycling detour will be in place but due to the length of the detour an accessible shuttle will operate between Estelle Street and Carron Street to help locals navigate the detour. The shuttle will run every 30 minutes from 7am to 6pm, starting Saturday 8 November until late November.
Full Eastern Freeway weekend closure
The Eastern Freeway will be closed in both directions between Doncaster Road and Bulleen Road from 10pm, Friday 7 November to 5am, Monday 10 November.
There will be freeway ramp closures during this time, including:
- Chandler Highway Ringwood-bound entry ramp
- Elgar Road citybound entry ramp
- Middleborough Road citybound entry ramp
- Blackburn Road citybound entry ramp
- Springvale Road citybound entry ramp.
There will also be no stopping or parking along Doncaster Road in both directions between Greythorn and Burke roads and at the intersection of Doncaster and Burke roads.
Right-turn bans will be in place at key intersections on Doncaster Road to ease traffic disruptions:
- Manningham Road into Thompsons Road
- Manningham Road into High Street
- Doncaster Road into Elgar Road
- Doncaster Road into Tram Road.
Detours will be in place during this closure. However, significant delays of up to 90 minutes are expected during the full weekend closure, with motorists encouraged to plan ahead and avoid the Eastern Freeway.
Motorists will also be allowed to utilise the bus lanes along Manningham Road in both directions between High Street and Williamsons Road.
On road and digital signage will be in place to guide motorists and commuters through the area.