We’re building a new Grimshaw Street Interchange
The upgraded interchange will see through traffic pass under Grimshaw Street, with dedicated lanes kept for local trips. A bus priority lane will improve public transport travel times. Two new underpasses will create safer journeys for pedestrians and cyclists. We’ve also created more space for trees and plants.
The new, wider Nell Street walking and cycling bridge is now open and creates better east-west connections for locals. In response to community feedback, we’ve moved the bridge further south for a shorter, more direct crossing.
There will be improved green spaces for Trist Street Reserve and AK Lines Reserve with upgraded with new wetlands, indigenous trees and plants, walking and cycling paths, noise walls and seats.
What’s happening
Temporary Signalised U-turns
We’re currently building the new, wider Grimshaw Street bridge and Kempston Street underpass. During this time, there’ll be long-term changes to how you travel through the area.
From Monday, 14 September until early-2027, the way you travel through the Grimshaw Street and Greensborough Bypass intersection will be different. Temporary signalised U-turns will keep traffic moving while as we build the new express lanes for the North East Link tunnels and the new Grimshaw Street landscaped bridge.
Why these changes are needed
To safely:
- keep traffic moving
- build the new express lanes
- construct the new Grimshaw Street bridge
- continue major works in the centre of the intersection.
What to expect
- No direct right turns or east-west through movements at the intersection.
- New temporary signalised U-turns with clear signage.
- All travel movements still available via the temporary signalised U-turns.
Plan ahead, allow extra travel time and follow signs on site.
Video explainers
What’s been done?
Grimshaw Street
In 2025, we completed a 30‑day rail and road blitz at Grimshaw Street ahead of schedule. Works included demolishing and rebuilding the road bridge over the Hurstbridge rail line, extending the rail tunnel under Greensborough Highway, and constructing the western side of the new interchange.
During staged closures, crews worked around the clock to deliver a new walking and cycling underpass at AK Lines and Trist Street reserves, install major drainage infrastructure, and build new road pavement.
New Nell Street walking and cycling bridge
The new Nell Street walking and cycling bridge is now open to the community, providing a safer, more accessible, and direct east-west connection for pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge improves access to key local destinations like Watsonia Primary School, Concord School, and the Watsonia Neighbourhood Activity Centre.
Designed with the community in mind, the bridge features:
- a low- gradient, DDA-compliant ramp, improving safety and accessibility for people of all ages and abilities
- a wider 4m path with safer, gradual curves to support shared use by pedestrians and cyclists
- Improved visibility and safety, with open steel mesh screens and minimal cladding.
Kempston Street
We recently completed a successful 5 week closure of Kempston Street, allowing crews to complete crucial works in the area.
The existing Greensborough Bypass bridge over Kempston Street has been demolished, making way for the installation of a new bridge that meets modern standards, improving the new road network with new drainage, smart transport systems, traffic lights, lighting and utilities.
Keeping in touch
We regularly speak to nearby residents and businesses about these works in more detail, including how we’ll be managing any local impacts.
If you have any questions, please contact the Big Build contact centre on 1800 105 105, emailing contact@bigbuild.vic.gov.au or visit the Hub at 17 Watsonia Road, Watsonia.