Progress on Victoria's ambitious infrastructure projects, known as the Big Build, is set to surge ahead during the autumn of 2025, with the impending completion of the Metro and West Gate Tunnels drawing near.

As part of these ongoing efforts, the Victorian Government has announced the elimination of another level crossing, and the construction of the newly aligned Bulleen Road, linking the Eastern Freeway to the 6.5km North East Link tunnels, is well underway.

Various disruptions are expected as work intensifies across the state:

Melbourne’s West:

Leading up to the anticipated opening of the West Gate Tunnel later in 2025, a towering crane used in the tunnel's construction will be dismantled. Commencing from February 21, 2025, inbound ramp closures will be in effect until late March 2025 between Grieve Parade and the West Gate Bridge, reducing inbound traffic to three lanes. Further closures will impact entry ramps on Millers Road and Grieve Parade, as well as the Williamstown Road exit ramp. Works on the M80 Ring Road are scheduled on weekends in March 2025 to integrate the West Gate Tunnel into the existing freeway network.

Level Crossing Removal Project works are scheduled for early March 2025 in Melton.

The Metro Tunnel, slated to open later in 2025, will link the Sunbury Line with the Cranbourne/Pakenham lines through five new underground stations. During train testing on weekends from the end of March through April and May 2025, buses will replace trains on parts of the Sunbury Line.

Melbourne’s East:

Construction progresses on Suburban Rail Loop East in preparation for tunneling activities in 2026. Temporary tram replacements are planned for Route 75 trams in Burwood for two weeks in May 2025, with intermittent lane closures on the Burwood Highway throughout autumn.

Melbourne’s North:

Lane-splitting outbound on the Eastern Freeway between Burke and Bulleen roads is now in effect. Road closures are anticipated at times along the North East Link project, including overnight closures on the Greensborough Bypass and the M80 Ring Road in Greensborough.

Melbourne’s South East:

Metro Tunnel testing and trial operations are currently underway to connect the Sunbury Line with the Cranbourne/Pakenham lines upon opening. Passengers on the Cranbourne/Pakenham Line will experience service changes at Caulfield Station during test weekends in March, April, and May 2025.

The Victorian Government has announced the removal of the hazardous level crossing at Station Street in Beaconsfield this autumn, advancing towards a boom gate-free Pakenham Line by 2025.

Clayton Road in Clayton will undergo overnight closures for up to five weeks starting in late March 2025. Traffic adjustments are also expected on Blackburn and Ferntree Gully roads in Notting Hill.

Works on the Pakenham Roads Upgrade will necessitate the citybound closure of the Princes Freeway between McGregor Road and Cardinia Road from March 14 to March 17, 2025.

Level Crossing Removal Project works are scheduled for early March 2025 in Mordialloc.

Regional Victoria:

Coaches will substitute trains on the Gippsland Line for ten days starting from March 21, 2025, to prepare for the line's new signalling system. Similarly, coach services will replace trains on the Geelong and Warrnambool lines for portions of the journey for two weeks from late March 2025. Additionally, level crossings on the Geelong Line will undergo upgrades, while work commences on a stabling upgrade at Warrnambool Station.

 

Source: Infrastructure Magazine

 

 

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