Work is stepping up from Watsonia to Bulleen ahead of major construction on the North East Link tunnels.
The main launch site in Watsonia is preparing for the two tunnel boring machines (TBM) that will help dig the 6.5 kilometre tunnels and fix the missing link in Melbourne’s freeway network.
With the site now ready, crews in the coming weeks will start to realign a 300-metre section of Greensborough Road between Wattle Drive and Watsonia Road. This will create space to build the TBM launch box while keeping traffic moving alongside the construction work.
Acting Premier Jacinta Allan said locals can expect to see a lot of progress in the coming weeks.
“North East Link is more than just Victoria’s biggest road project – it’s the biggest-ever investment in Melbourne’s North East, getting trucks off local roads and slashing travel times,” she said.
“With our TBMs on order, locals will start to see a lot of activity as we make changes to Greensborough Road to keep traffic moving before welcoming our tunnel boring machines.”
From August, workers will set up work compounds along the road to get ready to build the ramps and tunnel entrances, tunnel ventilation and the new tree-lined boulevard.
Member for Eastern Metropolitan, Sonja Terpstra, said the project will divert trucks from local roads.
“Not only are we going to get trucks off local roads – we’re going to work with the community to maximise the benefits of this vital project,” she said.
Work will also start to prepare nearby Winsor Reserve, where a large acoustic shed will be built to support the TBMs.
The shed will help contain noise, dust and light spill, and excavated dirt will be loaded onto trucks and carried off site.
