The Victorian government has released updates on its bus hub for the new road
The Victorian government has announced that while work intensifies on the north east link project, the first part of Melbourne’s first dedicated busway is being constructed.
The state government says major works will continue this winter near Bulleen to clear a path for the busway, including a pick-up and drop-off bay area designed for fast and frequent bus services to and from the city.
The new bus station on the link will form the first part of Melbourne’s first dedicated busway that will allow buses to travel uninterrupted along an overhauled eastern freeway.
The government says this new link can cut commute times for up to 17,000 passengers using eastern freeway buses each weekday.
The state’s department of transport expects more than 1,000 bus services to use the new facility each week and provide direct access for passengers from Bulleen, Doncaster, Doncaster East and Templestowe.
RELATED ARTICLE: Transit Systems joins Victorian zero emission bus trial
Two giant tunnel boring machines have been ordered to build the 6.5-kilometre road tunnels required for the north east link.
The government expects the project to take 18 months for the design, manufacturing, testing and transportation of the tunnelling machines.
More than $18 billion is being invested in Melbourne’s north-east to improve the road and rail network, including upgrades to the north east link and other key passenger routes.