Two massive road projects in VIC are a step closer to construction

Two massive road projects in Victoria are a step closer to construction with the release of the Urban Design and Landscape Plans (UDLPs) for the projects that will ultimately connect with the North East Link tunnels in Watsonia and Bulleen. 

Designs for the Ring Road Completion project as well as the first stage of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades are now on display for feedback from 9 to 29 October 2023. More information on how to have your say on the projects here. 

The UDLPs highlight how the two projects will meet the strict requirements in place for North East Link project design developed in consultation with the community through the Environment Effects Statement process. 

Submissions from this consultation period will be used to finalise the plans for the Ring Road Completion and Eastern Freeway Upgrades before submitting them to the Minister for Planning for approval. 

Major construction on the two massive projects is anticipated to commence in 2024. 

The Ring Road Completion project will complete the M80 Ring Road, delivering new lanes through to Plenty Road and seamlessly connecting to the North East Link tunnels. 

In response to community feedback, the Ring Road Completion project will include: 

• Improved designs for interchanges at the M80 Ring Road and Grimshaw Street with more space for trees and plants 
• Better locations for new walking and cycling bridges at Macorna Street in Watsonia North, and Nell Street in Watsonia 
• A wider, brighter walking and cycling underpass at Yando Street, Greensborough 
• Improvements to Trist Street Reserve, Watsonia and AK Lines Reserve, Watsonia North after construction 
• Keeping two-way local access between Nell Street and Greensborough Road, Watsonia 
• Two, wide landscaped bridges at Watsonia Road and Elder Street to deliver the connections to Watsonia Station and shops local people have told us they need 
• New noise walls designed to meet Victoria’s toughest 63 decibel traffic noise standard, plus a new, quieter 58 decibel standard at night – a first for a road project in Victoria 

“We’ll be linking the M80 Ring Road to the North East Link tunnels with new express lanes to take 19,000 cars and trucks off Greensborough Road a day. We’ll also build new walking and cycling paths, create new wetlands, make improvements to local reserves and build new landscaped bridges for better local trips to Watsonia Station and shops,” a statement from Victoria’s Big Build. 

On the other hand, the Eastern Freeway is going to be upgraded with new express lanes as well as new traffic management technology and Melbourne’s first dedicated busway. 

The upgrades from Hoddle Street to Springvale Road are going to be delivered in staged, beginning from Burke to Tram roads. 

In response to community feedback, the Eastern Freeway Upgrades include: 

• Noise walls designed to meet Victoria’s toughest 63 decibel traffic noise standard, plus a new, quieter 58 decibel standard at night – a first for a road project in Victoria 
• Extensive reinstatement to rebuild and reimagine parklands, wetlands and waterways and return improved open spaces in areas where it is needed to support construction 
• An improved freeway design at Valda Wetlands in Mont Albert North and a better design for the new Heyington Avenue walking and cycle bridge 
• A better design for the Estelle Street walking and cycling bridge in Bulleen – keeping the existing bridge open while the new one is built 
• Improved walking and cycling connections including better underpass designs for Koonung Creek Trail at Doncaster Road 

“The Eastern Freeway will get a massive overhaul with new express lanes and Melbourne’s first dedicated busway – slashing travel times and improving public transport. We’ll also build new and upgraded noise walls to meet a better noise standard, improve walking and cycling connections and plant more than 1.8 million new plants including 10,000 trees to return improved open spaces after construction,” a statement from Victoria’s Big Build. 

Source: Victoria’s Big Build (1, 2, 3); Engage Victoria; Roads & Infrastructure Australia