Tunnelling is complete on the Albanese and Allan Labor Governments’ North East Link – a major milestone for Victoria’s biggest road project.
Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Gillian broke through today at Bulleen, completing excavation of the southbound tunnel after the northbound tunnel excavation was finished in May this year.
Set to open to traffic in 2028, the twin 6.5-kilometre tunnels will fix the missing link in Melbourne’s freeway network and are creating more than 12,000 jobs during construction.
Victoria’s largest road tunnel will take up to 15,000 trucks a day off local roads and cut up to 35 minutes off trips between Melbourne’s north and east.
The TBMs removed 2.5 million tonnes of rock and dirt and installed nearly 43,000 pre-cast tunnel segments on schedule.
Crews now move onto the fit-out phase, installing:
- 700,000 tonnes of road surface
- 3,300 kilometres of cabling for lighting and signage, and
- 51 emergency passages that connect to the twin tunnels.
Works are also progressing on above-ground works, including building tunnel interchange ramps, the motorway control centre and a tree-lined Greensborough Road boulevard.
In addition to the new North East Link tunnels, upgrades to the Eastern Freeway and M80 Ring Road continue to progress.
North East Link is jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Victorian Government.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
“Finishing the dig on Victoria’s biggest road tunnel is a huge achievement.
“The North East Link is nation-building infrastructure that will improve how people get around Melbourne’s northeast.”
Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams:
“This is an exciting milestone and one step closer to fixing Melbourne’s missing freeway link.
“Labor is delivering faster journeys and fewer trucks on local streets – helping families get home sooner.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Jagajaga Kate Thwaites:
“This breakthrough means we’re one big step closer to delivering real traffic relief in Melbourne’s northeast.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Menzies Gabriel Ng:
“Every milestone reached on the North East Link brings us closer to getting people home sooner and taking trucks off local roads.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell:
“This project is a jobs powerhouse for our community and supports thousands of local workers and their families.”
Quotes attributable to State Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks:
“This is the biggest ever investment in Melbourne’s north east and will change the way people move around Melbourne.”
Quote attributable to State Member for Ivanhoe Anthony Carbines:
“The tunnels will deliver better connections for motorists and a more efficient road network for Victoria’s freight transport industry.”
Quote attributable to State Member for North-Eastern Metropolitan Region Sonja Terpstra:
“The completion of excavation is great news for families who want to see less trucks on their streets.”
Quote attributable to State Member for North-Eastern Metropolitan Region Shaun Leane:
“Labor is delivering for families across the north east now, and for generations to come.”
