Road and rail closures set to hit almost every corner of the city as Victoria’s Big Build ramps up this spring.
For the first time in decades, the Eastern Freeway will shut down for an entire weekend. From 10pm Friday 5 September until 5am Monday 8 September, the freeway will close in both directions between Doncaster and Tram roads so crews can install the new Heyington Avenue pedestrian bridge. Drivers are being warned of delays of up to 90 minutes.
It’s not the only headache. The West Gate Tunnel works will shut all outbound lanes and ramps between Williamstown Road and Millers Road from Friday 29 August to Monday 1 September, with more delays expected as crews push towards completion.
On the rails, buses will replace trains across sections of the Cranbourne, Pakenham, Sunbury, Werribee, Williamstown and Gippsland lines at different times throughout August and September, with disruptions spilling into October.
Metro Tunnel testing, level crossing removals, and the Suburban Rail Loop works are all colliding, meaning commuters should brace for detours and altered timetables.
Up north, the M80 Ring Road and Greensborough Bypass will shut across the weekend of 19–22 September to connect the freeway with the new North East Link tunnels. In Greensborough, an October “road and rail blitz” will pile on further closures.
Even trams won’t escape—works near Victoria and Elizabeth streets will shut sections of Routes 19, 57 and 59 for three weeks in October.
The advice is simple: check your route, plan ahead, and allow more time. Full details at bigbuild.vic.gov.au/disruptions.
