TBMs relaunched to complete Victoria's longest road tunnels

The construction of Victoria’s longest road tunnels – the North East Link Tunnels – continues to forge ahead with the relaunching of two massive tunnel boring machines (TBMs) from Lower Plenty Road to build the remaining section of tunnels towards Bulleen. 

TBMs Zelda and Gillian broke through the 30-metre-deep box at Lower Plenty Road earlier this year, and this site will soon become a vital interchange point for the North East Link project. 

The same TBMs have been relaunched to excavate the remaining length of the 6.5-kilometre tunnels to Bulleen. 

Each TBM is 15.6 metres in diameter and 90 metres long and has travelled 1.6 kilometres, collectively installing more than 16,000 concrete segments that were locally made in Benalla. 

Construction at the Lower Plenty Road site will continue to deliver the entry and exit ramps to the tunnels. 

Space equivalent to five MCGs will be developed into the new Borlase Reserve parklands along Banyule Creek, returning green space to the community. 

Major upgrades along the Eastern Freeway and the M80 Ring Road are also progressing, with foundation structures being constructed to connect the freeways to the tunnels. 

Crews will also continue to deliver works to realign Bulleen Road onto its permanent alignment. This project is due to be completed later this year. 

“This is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Victoria’s history – creating thousands of jobs and transforming the way people move across Melbourne. 

“Infrastructure projects like this help people to move more quickly and more safely around their communities, reducing commute times and reducing traffic on local roads,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. 

“This project has been talked about for 60 years – we’re getting on and building this missing link to get families home sooner and trucks off local roads,” Premier Jacinta Allan said. 

“This project will change the way people move through the North East of Melbourne, supporting the efficient flow of freight and ensuring that journeys are faster and safer for commuters,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

“The North East Link will slash travel times by up to 35 minutes and take 15,000 turcks off local roads every day,” VIC Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams said. 

TBMs Zelda and Gillian ready for relaunch (source: Victoria's Big Build)

There are currently more than 8,000 people working across the North East Link project, with about 10 per cent of work hours being delivered by apprentices, trainees and cadets. 

Overall, this massive development is set to create over 12,000 jobs. 

The North East Link development brings together three big road projects – the North East Link Tunnels, M80 Ring Road Completion and Eastern Freeway Upgrades – which are jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments. 

The entire project is due to be completed in 2028. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Victoria’s Big Build (1, 2)