Melbourne’s Missing Link: Getting It Right, Getting It Done

Published:
Monday 7 August 2017

The missing link in Melbourne’s road network is one step closer, with the Andrews Labor Government today unveiling the four potential corridor options for the North East Link.

The North East Link will slash congestion in Melbourne’s north east, stop the rat-runs and take trucks off local roads, creating more than 5,000 new jobs.

The four possible corridors have been determined through extensive works spanning the entire north-east, including geo-technical investigations, traffic modelling, environment studies and discussions with community groups, businesses and local residents.

Each corridor has been assessed against a range of measures including key local concerns such as reducing congestion and getting trucks off residential roads, as well as the impact on urban areas and the environment.

Each of the options identified begin at the Ring Road in Greensborough and connect to either the Eastern Freeway or EastLink, and all will involve tunnels, new surface roads and bridges.

People who live and work in the area can provide feedback online or at community information sessions taking place across the north-east throughout August.

The Government is expected to determine the preferred corridor by the end of the year.

The Victorian Budget 2017/18 provided the first $100 million for the North East Link to undertake design, planning and preconstruction works, ahead of contracts being signed in 2019 and construction commencing in 2020.

To provide feedback or for more information visit northeastlink.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“For decades the North East Link has been put in the too hard basket – this is the missing link Melbourne desperately needs to slash congestion and stop the rat runs in the north east.”

“We said we would look at all options and that’s exactly what we’ve done. This is about making sure we get this project right.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan

“For too long local roads in the north-east have become default freeways. North East Link will fix that –carrying 100,000 vehicles a day and creating 5,000 jobs.”

“Unlike the previous Liberal government who rushed through a botched project, we will do the work, get it right and get it done.”