Drivers and public transport passengers are being urged to plan ahead these school holidays, with work ramping up on major transport projects across Victoria.
The Andrews Labor Government will use the quieter school holiday period for another construction blitz on the Metro Tunnel, CityLink-Tulla Widening, the Monash Freeway upgrade and level crossing removals.
As part of the Metro Tunnel works St Kilda Road will be reduced to one lane city bound from 25 September to 14 October to continue service relocation and early works for the new underground station at Domain.
Metro Tunnel works at Parkville will see Royal Parade reduced to one lane citybound from 2 October until mid-November and weekend closures of Grattan Street, east of Royal Parade during October and November.
Shoppers at the popular Direct Factory Outlet in Essendon will need to allow extra travel time, with the Bulla Road Bridge closed from 2-20 October for major upgrades. Drivers who routinely use the bridge should plan to seek alternative routes where possible.
There’s also significant works across the rail network, with overnight and weekend works on the South Morang, Werribee, Williamstown, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.
Critical upgrades to signalling, station platforms, power and overhead structures will see buses replace trains on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line from the 23-28 September.
Buses will also replace trains between Clifton Hill and Macleod as work continues to duplicate the line from 6 – 15 October.
Other works scheduled for the school holiday include overnight closures on sections of the Monash Freeway between Warrigal Road and the Princes Highway and on Spencer Street in the CBD.
Regional Victorians will also need to plan ahead with coaches replacing Traralgon and Bairnsdale trains from the 23-28 September due to upgrades to track, signals and structures. Coaches will also replace trains between Sale and Bairnsdale from 29 September to 8 October for further track maintenance works.
For a full list of works and closures and plan your journey, visit and
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“We’re not wasting a day – we’re getting on with building the Metro Tunnel, improving regional tracks and removing 50 dangerous and congested level crossings.”
“We don’t just talk about it – we’re asking drivers and passengers to plan ahead while we build the train network Victoria needs.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“The spring holidays are a busy time for Victorians with so many fantastic events around the state. But it’s also a busy time for our road workers and we’re asking people to be patient while we get this important work done.”
“We know that road works can be frustrating – that’s why we’re giving people plenty of notice and asking everyone to plan ahead and allow extra time to get to where they need to be.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020