As part of Victoria’s Big Build, the Victorian Government has delivered more train services, less crowding and better connections on the Hurstbridge Line through the Hurstbridge Line Duplication project.
North East Link works on the Hurstbridge Line
To create space to rebuild and widen the Grimshaw Street bridge, the existing Hurstbridge Line rail tunnel has been extended to nearly half a kilometre long.
The extended rail tunnel is driving maintenance work on almost 5km of the Hurstbridge Line between Macleod and Greensborough stations.
As part of these works, we're upgrading almost 5km of tracks, gantries, wires and signaling - some more than 100 years old - between Macleod and Greensborough Stations.
These upgrades will make train services safer and more reliable for Hurstbridge Line passengers.
What’s been done
We’ve finished the 30-day rail and road blitz at Grimshaw Street east ahead of schedule, opening the road to traffic in the early hours on Thursday 30 October.
As part of major works on the M80 Ring Road Completion, Grimshaw Street east closed to traffic in October, alongside the Hurstbridge Line shut down between Heidelberg and Eltham stations.
Following this massive milestone for the project, major works on the rail tunnel superstructure are now complete. With the completion of the rail tunnel extension, we'll soon progress works to construct the new road connections to North East Link
This upgrade to the Hurstbridge Line makes the rail tunnel between Watsonia and Greensborough stations, now extended to approximately 500m, the third longest in Victoria behind the City Loop and new Metro Tunnel.
What’s coming up?
There’ll be short-term works on the Hurstbridge Line from early to mid 2026, as we complete finishing touches to the extended rail tunnel.
We’ll also work to improve safety and reliability for passengers – modernising tracks, gantries, wires and signalling to replace assets that, in some places, are over 100 years old.
Disruptions will be coordinated with partners including Metro Trains and the Level Crossing Removal Project to minimise impacts for passengers.
To learn more about upgrading the Hurstbridge Line, read our factsheet below.
Find out more
Planned disruptions
Visit the Disruptions Map for more information and plan your journey by visiting transort.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007 before you travel.
Project images
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, email contact@bigbuild.vic.gov.au or visit the Hub at 17 Watsonia Road, Watsonia.