Take a peek at new Eastern Freeway works 🌿👀
You might have noticed works picking up down the city end of the Eastern Freeway as crews continue setting up works sites.
You’ll also start to see piling works to build the foundations of gantry signs and traffic barriers, with rigs rolling out in the centre median in the past week.
Next to the freeway, cabling work is underway to support smart technology for safer journeys along the freeway.
🚧 Kempston Bridge is coming down! 🚧
This month, we closed the Greensborough Bypass between the M80 Interchange and Grimshaw Street to get stuck into the next big stage of work.
👷♂️ Over the closure our crews –
✅ Demolished the existing bridge over Kempston Street
✅ Realigned traffic to the outer lanes along the Greensborough Bypass between the M80 Interchange and Grimshaw Street
✅ Continued noise wall installation on the outer bridges
👷♀️In the coming weeks we will –
🏗️ Build new bridge foundations and retaining walls, including piling and pouring concrete
🛠️ Upgrade utilities along Kempston Street 🚦 Add smart transport tech, traffic signals, lighting and essential utilities
It’s all part of creating safer, smoother and smarter connections. Thanks for your patience while we get to work! 🙌
Designs for the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Tram Road to Springvale Road have been approved ✔️
In response to 125 submissions received on the Urban Design and Landscape Plan, the final design now includes:
🚵 Additional surface upgrades to Koonung Creek Trail.
🚲 Improved rails and screens on walking and cycling bridges.
🏞️ A larger open grassed area at Eram Park.
🎨 Colours for acrylic noise wall panels inspired by the creek, trees and sky.
🌳 More trees and plants to screen noise walls at Junction Road and Frank Sedgman reserves.
🔧 Additional facilities including bicycle repair stations and drinking fountains.
The Eastern Freeway Upgrades will be completed in 2028 and connect with North East Link tunnels and completed M80 Ring Road.
Learn more https://bit.ly/4dCRrXU
Community connection, collaboration and inclusive design were front and centre at the Guide Dogs Australia Community Fair 🦮
Our Eastern Freeway Upgrades team was out in the community alongside Guide Dogs Victoria last month, talking with locals about the Eastern Freeway Upgrades and how we’re working together to deliver safer, more accessible outcomes in Melbourne’s north east.
From smoother traffic flow to Melbourne’s first dedicated busway and walking and cycling paths designed for people of all abilities, we shared how the project will support easier, safer journeys for the whole community. We also loved seeing some budding future engineers getting hands-on with their very own personal protective equipment (PPE) and learning what it takes to help build Victoria’s future.
Events like this are a key part of how we collaborate with community partners, listen to feedback and ensure we are supporting locals through the disruptions associated with major infrastructure projects.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by for a chat, and to Guide Dogs Victoria for partnering with us to help build a more connected and inclusive future.
Sequential Excavation Method (SEM) Tunnelling
Noun
A method where mining machinery is used to excavate tunnels in sections, with supports being installed along the way.
Project Manager, Peng, is here to provide an update on how this work is tracking under Bulleen.
This section of North East Link will connect the Manningham Road interchange to the Eastern Freeway interchange when the tunnel opens in 2028.
One in a Millie-on 🌟
Meet Millie, our local crane enthusiast who had the opportunity to see them up close at our Manningham site.
Millie is a shining example of the future of women in STEM.
Beam me up, M80! 🚀
25 massive Super T beams were recently lifted into place to build the eastern side of the new Yando Street underpass, with the help of two seriously mighty cranes - a 750 tonne and 650 tonne crane from Advanced Cranes and Rigging 💪🏗️
These Super Ts form the foundations for the new bridge decks that will connect the outer lanes currently taking shape along the Greensborough Bypass, between Grimshaw Street and the M80 interchange.
Super Ts are designed with hollow voids through the centre, lowering their overall weight and making them more efficient to build and install, while reducing the amount of concrete used. Even with this clever design, each beam still weighs around 62 tonnes and stretches up to 32 metres long.
Next up: Deck construction, which will get us one step closer to moving traffic onto these new outer lanes and constructing the express lanes to the North East Link tunnels.
Practicing to serve the community⛑️
Last year Heidelberg SES received funding from the North East Community Fund to run major training exercises, ensuring volunteers are ready to help the community when needed.
The funding supported a search and rescue drill in Banyule Flats, in collaboration with Victoria Police.
SES units from Heidelberg, Fawkner, Essendon, Malvern, Brimbank and Manningham participated, tasked with the training scenario of finding a missing boy.
As part of the exercise, teams were required to search using bikes, vehicles and on-foot.
Applications for this year's North East Community Fund are open until 3pm, Thursday 30 April.
Search North East Community Fund for more.
Legacy through reuse 🌳
North East Link is proud to collaborate with Treasuring Our Trees, an organisation who has been salvaging trees from across North East Link sites and repurposing them for community projects including indoor and outdoor furniture, yarning circles of log seats, and now, wood sculptures.
Hear from David Ferrier, CEO of Treasuring Our Trees, who explains his passion for the environment and the work he has been doing.
Putting plastic to work 👷
Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) decks have recently landed on site for the M80 Ring Road Completion project and will be installed on the new Nell Street walking and cycling bridge over Greensborough Highway.
In a major first for Victorian infrastructure, the bridge decks are made from glass fibre, resin and a lightweight foam core comprising 80% recycled soft plastics, sourced from Victoria. Once installed, this 64 metre long pedestrian bridge will improve connectivity and clear the way for extra lanes and express access to the North East Link tunnels.
Powering ahead with BESS 🔋
A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) has been installed on the huge green gantry crane in Bulleen.
This battery significantly reduces diesel consumption of the crane thanks to its large battery, with a small generator needed to recharge the battery.
BESS will be able to meet the power requirements of the crane and will ensure the generator is only ever operating at optimal loading.
