Victorians are being urged to plan ahead, with a packed schedule of road and rail works set to reshape travel across the state as the Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel edge toward opening.
The Metro Tunnel’s Summer Start program begins on 30 November, giving passengers early access to the new stations, extra services and free weekend travel until the Big Switch on 1 February.
To reach that milestone, crews will continue around-the-clock upgrades across the network. Buses will replace trains on the Sandringham and Frankston lines from the night of 7 January through to 11 January, with additional night-time closures across the Cranbourne, Pakenham, Frankston, Werribee, Williamstown, Sunbury and Sandringham lines through December and January.
Drivers will also feel the impact. Annual maintenance on the West Gate Bridge starts on Boxing Day evening, bringing lane closures and possible delays of up to an hour.
Three outbound lanes will shut from 26 to 29 December, while two citybound lanes stay closed until 4 January. The opening of the West Gate Tunnel in December will give motorists another cross-city option, with new road signs to roll out in the coming weeks.
Major works tied to the North East Link will close the Eastern Freeway between Doncaster Road and Middleborough Road from 7 to 12 January, while overnight shutdowns on the M80 continue through summer. Suburban Rail Loop construction will also bring lane closures on the Dingley Bypass and traffic changes near the future Cheltenham Station.
Level crossing removals, freeway upgrades and CBD tram works will add to the mix, with closures and detours across Berwick, Point Cook, Epping, the Peninsula Link corridor and the Bourke and Spencer Street tram intersection.
People are encouraged to check planned disruptions before travelling and allow extra time.
