TUNNEL BORING MACHINES RELAUNCH TO CONSTRUCT VICTORIA’S LONGEST ROAD TUNNELS

The Australian and Victorian Governments’ North East Link project continues to forge ahead with two massive Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) relaunching from Lower Plenty Road to continue their journey towards Bulleen. 

Earlier this year, TBMs Gillian and Zelda both broke through the earth into a 30 metre deep box at Lower Plenty Road, which will soon create a vital interchange point for the North East Link project. 

Recently, the TBMs also relaunched to excavate the remaining stretch of the 6.5 kilometre tunnels to Bulleen to build Victoria’s longest road tunnels. 

The TBMs are 15.6 metres in diameter and 90 metres long, and have each travelled 1.6 kilometres – or about 40 per cent of their total journey – collectively installing more than 16,000 concrete segments that were made locally in Benalla. 

Construction will continue at the Lower Plenty Road site to build the entry and exit ramps to the tunnels. 

Space equivalent to five MCGs will be developed into the new Borlase Reserve parklands along Banyule Creek, returning green space to the community. 

Major upgrades along the Eastern Freeway and the M80 Ring Road are ongoing, with foundation structures being built to connect the freeways to the tunnels. 

Crews also continue works to realign Bulleen Road onto its permanent alignment, with these works expected to be completed later this year. 

More than 8,000 people are currently working across the North East Link project, with 10 per cent of work hours being delivered by apprentices, trainees and cadets. 

The project is set to create more than 12,000 jobs in total. 

The North East Link tunnels, M80 Ring Road Completion and Eastern Freeway Upgrades are jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments and will be complete in 2028. 

The project is expected to slash travel times by up to 35 minutes, and take 15,000 trucks off local roads.   

Quote attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: 

“This is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Victoria’s history – creating thousands of jobs and transforming the way people move across Melbourne.

“Infrastructure projects like this help people to move more quickly and more safely around their communities, reducing commute times and reducing traffic on local roads.”

Quote attributable to Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan:

“This project has been talked about for 60 years – we’re getting on and building this missing link to get families home sooner and trucks off local roads.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King: 

“This project will change the way people move through the North East of Melbourne, supporting the efficient flow of freight and ensuring that journeys are faster and safer for commuters.”

Quote attributable to Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams:   

“The North East Link will slash travel times by up to 35 minutes and take 15,000 trucks off local roads every day.”