The Eastern Freeway plan approvals have locked in a crucial step for Melbourne's transport network.
The Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) for the first stage of the Eastern Freeway upgrades from Burke Road to Tram Road has been officially approved, marking a significant milestone in Melbourne’s transport infrastructure. This long-awaited project aims to address the urgent need for improved connectivity between the northern and eastern suburbs.
In response to community feedback gathered through the project’s Environment Effects Statement, the UDLP exhibited for comment in October 2023 included new and upgraded noise walls designed to meet Victoria’s first 58-decibel night-time noise standard. The plan also features improved designs for walking and cycling bridges and extensive reinstatement for open spaces affected by construction, which will introduce more than 10,000 new trees and 1.8 million plants.
During the exhibition period, the plan was viewed online over 7,000 times, and more than 140 people attended an information display to engage with the team. Additionally, 130 submissions were received, prompting further enhancements to the design, including:
Eastern Freeway upgrades
- Improved walking and cycling connections
- An extra 1.2 km of upgrades to the main Koonung Creek Trail
- Better bike connections at Doncaster Road to Doncaster Park & Ride
- An improved Heyington Avenue bridge design at Valda Wetlands
- New connections to Koonung Creek Trail in Bulleen and Doncaster
- Additional upgrades for Koonung Creek Reserve and parklands
- Extra fitness equipment, BBQ and rest areas, more bike repair stations, and drinking fountains
- Enhanced designs for noise walls, creating more space for trees and plants at Koonung Creek Reserve near Doncaster Road, as well as more trees for screening and shade along Koonung Creek Trail near Elgar Road.
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The North East Link project, set to take 15,000 trucks off local roads daily, is a vital component of this initiative. It will save approximately 35 minutes in travel time from the eastern suburbs to the outer north, while simultaneously creating 12,000 jobs.
The Eastern Freeway has not seen a major upgrade in decades. The enhancements will include over 45 kilometres of new lanes and advanced traffic management systems, promising an 11-minute travel time saving between Springvale Road and Hoddle Street. Additionally, the project will introduce 10 kilometres of walking and cycling paths and revamp Koonung Creek Reserve.
New noise walls will also be constructed along the freeway to provide better protection for local homes. Furthermore, this upgrade will facilitate Melbourne’s first dedicated busway running from Doncaster to the city, along with an upgraded Park and Ride facility at Doncaster.
In the northern region, the project will complete the M80 Ring Road at Greensborough by adding nearly 15 kilometres of new lanes from Plenty Road to the new North East Link. It will also improve the interchange at Grimshaw Street and create new walking and cycling links.
Nexus, a consortium comprising Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd, Symal Infrastructure Pty Ltd, WSP Australia Pty Ltd, and Arcadis Australia Pacific Pty Ltd, has been appointed to deliver the first phase of the $5.7 billion Eastern Freeway overhaul from Burke Road to Tram Road.
The two largest freeway overhauls in Victoria’s history are expected to bring significant disruption in the coming years as they are integrated with the new North East Link tunnels, spanning from Watsonia to Bulleen.
The North East Link tunnels, Eastern Freeway Upgrade, and M80 Ring Road Update are anticipated to open in 2028 and are jointly funded by the Federal and Victorian governments.
For further updates, visit Big Build.
