We’re giving local roads back to local people.
The completed M80 Ring Road will take 19,000 cars and trucks a day off Greensborough Road with through traffic passing under Elder Street and Watsonia Road.
Greensborough Road will be rebuilt on both sides of new express lanes for the North East Link Tunnels for quicker, easier local trips to shops, schools and public transport with more than 10km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths and better connections to Watsonia Station and shops.
Watsonia Station will get a new car park and better connections for bikes and buses. This will be part of a future Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) process in 2026, with opportunities for community feedback on the design.
What’s happening?
Building the Watsonia Road landscaped bridge
We’ve been busy excavating the future Watsonia Road landscaped bridge. Watch the video below to see our progress. Once complete, we’ll have dug 10m down from the existing road level.
From early 2026, traffic will use this new bridge, and once the project is complete, the Watsonia Road and Elder Street landscaped bridges will make it easier for locals to get to Watsonia Station, shops and community spaces.
What’s coming up?
Traffic changes as we start building the Elder Street landscaped bridge
From late 2025 to mid 2026, there will be nightly lane closures on Greensborough Road.
In early 2026, Greensborough Road northbound lanes will shift into the former Watsonia Station carpark to become the first permanent lanes for the upgraded Greensborough Road. The new traffic lanes will seamlessly connect with temporary access changes already in place at Watsonia Station. These changes will maintain traffic flow as works ramp up to complete the Elder Street landscaped bridge.
Additional temporary traffic changes will be required to maintain local access to Elder Street. In early 2026, right turns from Greensborough Road onto Elder Street will be replaced by a temporary signalised U-turn. We will share more details with the community in advance to keep you informed of these changes. Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journey.
Walking and cycling access
During construction in Watsonia, walking and cycling access to the station and shops will remain available with a strong focus on safety and accessibility for all.
At times during construction, some footpaths and shared use paths may need to be temporarily closed or redirected. This will include relocating the Greensborough Highway pedestrian crossing at Elder Street towards the new signalised intersection at Watsonia Station car park in early 2026.
Clear signage and wayfinding will be in place to help guide people around worksites and toward their destination.
Shop local in Watsonia
The Watsonia Shopping Centre has a great village feel to it. Located on Watsonia Road, between Richards Avenue and Tennyson Drive, you're sure to find everything you need to run errands, pick up supplies or stop for a bite to eat.
We're proud to support businesses in the communities in which we work. Check out our Watsonia Trader directory. We invite you to register your business in our trader directory by emailing business@vida.vic.gov.au and we'll be in touch.
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.