The Urban Design and Landscape Plan for the Eastern Freeway Upgrades in Victoria have been approved, marking a major milestone for the project.
The Eastern Freeway upgrades will include new express lanes, new traffic management technology and Melbourne’s first dedicated busway, connecting the new North East Link tunnels in Bulleen to the M80 Ring Road in Greensborough.
In response to community feedback through the project’s Environment Effects Statement, the Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) exhibited for comment in October 2023 and included a range of responses.
The first stage of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Burke Road to Tram Road will deliver six new express lanes for faster trips, new Eastern Busway lanes connecting with two park and rides at Bulleen and Doncaster, 11 kilometres of walking and cycling paths and 1.8 million new trees and plants.
It will also include one kilometre of new and upgraded noise walls and 43,700 metres squared of revitalised Valda Wetlands with more space for trees and plants at Koonung Creek Reserve near Doncaster Road and more trees for screening and shade along Koonung Creek Trail near Elgar Road.
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While the plan was on exhibition, it was viewed online more than 7000 times, over 140 people visited an information display, and 130 submissions were received.
In response to submissions the final UDLP now includes further improvements to the design including:
An extra 1.2 kilometres of upgrades to the main Koonung Creek Trail, better bike connections at Doncaster Road to Doncaster Park & Ride, improved Heyington Avenue bridge design at Valda Wetlands and new connections to Koonung Creek Trail in Bulleen and Doncaster.
Additional upgrades for Koonung Creek Reserve and parklands include extra fitness equipment, extra BBQ and rest areas and more bike repair stations and drinking fountains.
With the Urban Design and Landscape Plan now approved, locals will see construction work on the Eastern Freeway Upgrades continue to move forward.