Below are handy summaries of some of the Allan Labor Government’s transport infrastructure projects in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs.
You can click on the policy headings for more information.
If you have questions about any of these projects, please get in touch on 03 9887 0255 and shaun.leane@parliament.vic.gov.au.
Removing Ringwood’s Dangerous Level-Crossings
As part of the Ringwood level crossing removal project we’re removing level crossings at Dublin Road, Ringwood East and Bedford Road, Ringwood, which will make Ringwood level crossing free.
We’re on track to remove the boom gates in 2024 – a year ahead of schedule.
We’ll also build a new Ringwood East Station that will open in early July and feature a main concourse and second entry, platforms that are accessible by lifts and stairs, and upgraded pedestrian and cycling paths.
The new station will create safer and more direct links between the Ringwood East shopping precinct, public transport and upgraded parking with about 460 car spaces.
Around 23,000 vehicles travel through these level crossings each day, where the boom gates are down for up to 23 minutes during peak morning periods.
Removing these crossings will improve safety, reduce congestion and pave the way for more trains, more often.
Sign up for email updates for regular information about the progress of this project.
You can also receive important updates directly to your mobile phone by signing up to our text alert system. Simply text RINGWOOD to 0428 387 902.
Building a new Ringwood East Station
We’ll also build a new Ringwood East Station that will open in early July and feature a main concourse and second entry, platforms that are accessible by lifts and stairs, and upgraded pedestrian and cycling paths.
The new station will create safer and more direct links between the Ringwood East shopping precinct, public transport and upgraded parking with about 460 car spaces.
Upgrading Heathmont’s Intersections
We’re improving safety, connectivity and traffic flow at the Canterbury Road and Waterloo Street, Great Ryrie Street and Sunset Drive intersections in Heathmont.
The speed limit on Canterbury Road from west of Waterloo Street towards Sunset Drive will be reduced from 70km/h to 60km/h in both directions to support the safe operation of the new traffic lights at Waterloo Street. This will provide a consistent speed limit in both directions of this section of Canterbury Road to support the safety, connectivity and traffic flow improvements being made.
- This project will:
- Improve access for vehicles to and from Waterloo Street
- Improve pedestrian safety and connectivity near Waterloo Street
- Keep traffic flowing with the new traffic lights linked with nearby traffic lights to optimise efficiency
- Provide better public transport connectivity in the area
- Provide safer access to and from side roads.
Upgrading the Eastern Freeway
We’re upgrading the Eastern Freeway with new traffic management technology, express lanes, and Melbourne’s first dedicated express busway.
We’ll be connecting an upgraded Eastern Freeway to the new 6.5km North East Link tunnels from Bulleen to Watsonia. The new tunnels and freeway upgrades will link Melbourne’s east up to the M80 Ring Road in Greensborough, cutting travel times by up to 35 minutes and taking 15,000 trucks off local roads a day.
These changes will slash travel times and improve public transport in Melbourne’s east.
We’re also building new walking and cycling connections, upgrading open space, wetlands and waterways and building new noise walls to meet a better noise standard.
Bulleen Park and Ride
The Bulleen Park & Ride is a premium station for Victoria’s first dedicated busway along the Eastern Freeway – making it easier for people to use faster, more frequent and more reliable public transport to get to and from the city.
The new Bulleen Park & Ride doubles the number of car parking spaces for rapid bus services along the freeway and provide secure parking for bicycles, links to Koonung Creek Trail, Myki services and toilets.
Building the North East Link
North East Link is the biggest ever investment in Melbourne’s north east – changing the way people move around Melbourne.
As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re delivering 3 major road projects. The 6.5km North East Link tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen will fix the missing link in our city’s freeway network, take 15,000 trucks off local roads a day and reduce travel times by up to 35 minutes. Upgrades to the Eastern Freeway and M80 Ring Road will include new lanes, smart technology and a seamless connection to the North East Link tunnels.
This massive program of works is being carefully planned so the projects can open in 2028 – bringing all the pieces of North East Link together.
Building the Suburban Rail Loop
Suburban Rail Loop will deliver a 90km rail line linking every major train service from the Frankston Line to the Werribee Line via Melbourne Airport, better connecting Victorians to jobs, retail, education, health services and each other.
Three transport super hubs at Clayton, Broadmeadows and Sunshine will connect regional services, so passengers outside Melbourne won’t have to travel through the CBD to get to employment, world-class hospitals and universities in the suburbs.
SRL is more than a transport project – it will help reshape how our city grows in the decades ahead. The areas around the new stations will be thriving communities for people to live, work, study and play – with more diverse housing options, local services and jobs closer to where people want to live and all a short distance from a train station.
Construction of SRL East from Cheltenham to Box Hill is underway following the release of the comprehensive SRL Business and Investment Case and planning approvals, leading on from a detailed Environment Effects Statement.