Big Build is powering ahead

Feb 25, 2025

Heavy machinery operating alongside the Eastern Freeway near Doncaster in Melbourne on February 17. Photo: AAP Image/James Ross. Photo by JAMES ROSS

The Victorian Government says it is powering ahead with works across Melbourne’s Big Build this autumn, as it prepares to open the Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel later this year.

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Victorian Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams visited a North East Link site on Friday, February 21, where the first of more than 100 concrete ‘super T-beams’ has been lifted into place to support the newly aligned Bulleen Rd, that will connect the Eastern Freeway to the 6.5-kilometre North East Link tunnels.

Over the next five months, the beams — weighing between 64 and 126 tonnes each — will be lifted to support the newly aligned Bulleen Rd, with crews set to build the road surface later this year.

Critical testing and trial operations are under way on the Metro Tunnel Project, as work continues on the biggest upgrade of Melbourne’s train network since the City Loop opened in 1981.

Testing will take place on weekends in March, April and May.

A view of the West Gate Tunnel on December 2. Photo: AAP Image/Diego Fedele. Photo by DIEGO FEDELE

Ms Williams said as we race towards the West Gate Tunnel opening later this year, work will get under way to take down the huge tower crane that built the outbound tunnel portal.

While this is happening, drivers on the West Gate Freeway will experience some outbound lane and ramp closures for two weekends between March and April.

Also in Melbourne’s west, works will take place across weekends on the M80 freeway in March to integrate the West Gate Tunnel into the existing freeway network.

“Our crews are charging towards the finish line as we look towards opening the Metro and West Gate tunnels later this year, which will change the way people move across Melbourne for the better,” Ms Williams said.

“We’re getting on with delivering the Eastern Freeway’s first major upgrade since the 1990s — delivering new express lanes and Melbourne’s first dedicated busway — cutting travel times and improving public transport in Melbourne’s east.”