The Allan Labor Government is getting on with vital improvements to the Eastern Freeway as part of North East Link Project, with crews preparing for a weekend of around-the-clock works.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams today announced the Eastern Freeway will be closed in both directions between Doncaster and Bulleen roads from 10:00pm, Friday 7 November to 5:00am, Monday 10 November.
Delays of up to 90 minutes are expected and drivers planning to use the Eastern Freeway during this time are advised to plan ahead and avoid the area.
Entry ramps to the freeway at Chandler Highway (Ringwood-bound) and Elgar, Middleborough, Blackburn and Springvale roads (citybound) will also be closed, with detours in place via Doncaster, Bulleen, Thompsons, Manningham, Williamsons and Doncaster roads.
To ease congestion, parking and stopping will be temporarily banned on Doncaster Road from Burke Road to Greythorn Road, and right turns will be closed at key intersections including Manningham Road into Thompsons Road and High Street, and Doncaster Road into Elgar and Tram roads.
The closure will allow crews to safely remove the Estelle Street walking and cycling bridge, which will be replaced with a wider, safer bridge opening in late 2025 alongside another new bridge at Heyington Avenue, Doncaster.
Crews will also take advantage of the shutdown to carry out piling, utility relocations, drainage, asphalting and installation of new traffic technology at Doncaster and Bulleen interchanges. Overnight closures will continue until late November to support bridge works, with detours and electronic signage in place.
The Eastern Freeway Upgrades are delivering new express lanes, managed motorway technology and Melbourne's first dedicated busway - cutting travel times by up to 11 minutes and improving public transport in the east.
Once complete, the freeway will connect to the North East Link tunnels in Bulleen, linking the east to the M80 Ring Road in Greensborough, cutting travel times by 35 minutes and removing 15,000 trucks from local roads daily.
The upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of 2028.
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams
"We're getting on with delivering vital improvements to the Eastern Freeway as part of North East Link, which will transform travel through northeastern Melbourne."
"We thank drivers for their patience and encourage everyone to plan ahead and avoid the area during the weekend closure where possible."
As stated by Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region Shaun Leane
"North East Link and the upgrades to the Eastern Freeway will be a game-changer for our community, making journeys quicker and safer and taking thousands of trucks off our local roads."
