The Victorian government has awarded final contracts to two consortiums to transform the Eastern Freeway.
Premier Jacinta Allan announced today that two consortiums will deliver the Eastern Freeway upgrades. The project forms part of the broader North East Link development.
Construction continues on the first Eastern Freeway section between Burke and Tram roads. Work includes building the North East Link interchange, new busway and additional lanes.
Melbourne Eastern Freeway Upgrades
- More than 45 kilometres of new lanes
- New express lanes with modern traffic management
- 11-kilometre dedicated busway from Doncaster to the city
- Connection to North East Link tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen
- Urban Design and Landscape Plans exhibition later this year
- Major construction begins early next year
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The Momentum consortium will handle upgrades between Hoddle Street and Burke Road. This includes new lanes, motorway technology, Eastern Busway connections, and walking and cycling paths. John Holland, Seymour Whyte, Jacobs and Mott Macdonald comprise the consortium.
The Synergy consortium will manage upgrades between Tram and Springvale roads. CPB Contractors, BMD Constructions and Arup form this partnership. Their work includes new lanes, managed motorway technology and Koonung Creek Linear Park upgrades.
Melbourne’s first dedicated 11-kilometre busway will run from Doncaster toward the city. It connects to the new North East Link tunnels.
Urban Design and Landscape Plans will go on exhibition later this year. The community can provide feedback on design aesthetics for their local areas. Major construction starts early next year with builders now confirmed.
North East Link
Extensive work continues across the North East Link project. Two tunnel boring machines dig beneath Rosanna. Interchanges near Bulleen Road and Greensborough Bypass take shape. Construction progresses along the M80 and Eastern Freeway between Burke and Tram roads.
The North East Link tunnels will connect the upgraded Eastern Freeway to the M80 Ring Road. This creates significant time savings for motorists. Travel times drop by 35 minutes while skipping 18 sets of traffic lights.
The project removes 15,000 trucks daily from local roads. This reduces congestion in residential areas while improving safety. Commercial vehicles gain direct freeway access without navigating suburban streets.
The Australian and Victorian governments jointly fund the North East Link project. Completion is scheduled for 2028. The infrastructure investment represents a major upgrade to Melbourne’s transport network.
The Eastern Freeway transformation addresses growing traffic demands in Melbourne’s northeast. Population growth in outer suburbs has increased pressure on existing road networks. These upgrades provide long-term solutions for commuter challenges.
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