The first of two tunnel boring machines working on the North East Link project has reached one kilometre worth of tunnelling, as works on the 6.5-kilometre twin tunnels powers on.
The new twin tunnels will divert traffic below ground by up to 45 metres – cutting congestion on local roads and slashing travel times by up to 35 minutes. They will also help to take 15,000 trucks off local roads.
TBMs Zelda and Gillian are making good progress, with the former excavating the northbound tunnel and clocking over one kilometre of tunnelling, with TBM Gillian having passed the 700-metre mark on the southbound tunnel.
As they move forward, the 4000 tonne machines are installing concrete segments made locally, while concrete culverts are also being installed behind each TBM to form a service route for maintenance vehicles inside the tunnels.
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Next year the TBMs will break through near Lower Plenty Road where on and off ramps are being built, before they relaunch underground and continue their journey towards Bulleen – with tunnelling expected to be complete in 2026.
While the TBMs continue their journeys, crews are undertaking major upgrades along the Eastern Freeway and the M80 Ring Road to connect the freeways to the North East Link tunnels.
The North East Link tunnels, M80 Ring Road Completion and Eastern Freeway Upgrades are jointly funded by the Federal and Victorian Governments and will be open in 2028.
Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks said the project would also provide improved connections for active transport.
“North East Link will deliver 34 kilometres of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths, make it easier and safer for locals to get around their suburbs in the North East,” Brooks said.