The delivery of Melbourne’s North East Link Tunnels is well underway with the project’s two massive tunnel boring machines (TBMs) passing the halfway point on their journey from Watsonia to Bulleen.
Since beginning their trip in 2024 from Watsonia, TBMs Gillian and Zelda have now excavated nearly 60 per cent of the three-lane twin tunnels that will remove up to 15,000 trucks from local roads each day once they open to traffic.
The TBMs are 15.6 metres in diameter and 90 metres long, and each has travelled at least three kilometres.
Along the way, the TBMs have installed over 25,000 pre-cast concrete tunnel segments that were locally made in Benalla, Victoria.
The two TBMs will continue their journey throughout 2025 to help build the 6.5-kilometre-long twin tunnels. They will conclude their digging at the site of the future Manningham interchange next year.
“This milestone shows we are getting on with building the missing link in Melbourne’s motorway network, which will transform the way people move across the north-east,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.
“People in Melbourne’s north-east will welcome this milestone for this project, meaning it’s closer to completion – when it will deliver less time stuck in traffic and more time at home with family,” Federal Member for Jagajaga Kate Thwaites said.
The North East Link Tunnels are set to become Victoria’s longest twin road tunnels, which will slash travel times by up to 35 minutes.
Meanwhile, the first permanent section of the new Bulleen Road interchange is now open on the Eastern Freeway while significant work is carried out at the Manningham interchange to prepare for the arrival of the TBMs.
More than 8,000 people are currently working across the North East Link project, with about 10 per cent of work hours being delivered by apprentices, trainees and cadets.
Overall, the project is expected to create more than 12,000 jobs and is due to be completed in 2028.
The North East Link is the biggest ever investment in Melbourne’s north east, delivering three major projects – North East Link Tunnels, Eastern Freeway Upgrades and M80 Ring Road Completion – that will ultimately change the way people move around the region.
All three projects are jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments.
“The North East Link will slash travel times and make our suburbs more connected for working families, while also taking 15,000 trucks off local roads each day,” VIC Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said.
“The North East Link will make a massive difference to local traffic by getting trucks off our local roads and making it easier to get around,” State Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks said.
“This is a game-changing project for our community – delivering jobs now, cutting congestion and building the transport links we need for the future,” State Member for Ivanhoe Anthony Carbines said.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Victoria’s Big Build – North East Link