North East Link

Victoria
Interactive map showing the main route of the North East Link, connecting the M80 Ring Road (north end) to the Eastern Freeway (south end).
General information
TypeFreeway  (Under construction)
Length10 km (6.2 mi)
Opened2028 (scheduled)[1]
Major junctions
North end Metropolitan Ring Road
Greensborough, Melbourne
 
South end Eastern Freeway
Bulleen, Melbourne
Highway system

The North East Link is an under construction 10–kilometre tolled motorway scheme in Melbourne, Australia. Its stated objective is to connect the Metropolitan Ring Road at Greensborough with the Eastern Freeway at Bulleen, where the freeway would be upgraded from Hoddle Street to Springvale Road at Nunawading.[1]

Other components of the project include the construction of a new dedicated busway along the Eastern Freeway to serve the Doncaster area, and park and ride car parking facilities.[2][3] The Eastern Freeway will be widened from nine lanes to 20 in some parts.[4][5]

In December 2016, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced that a re-elected Labor government would build the North East Link at a cost of $10 billion.[6] Early works began in 2020 and tunnelling is planned to commence in 2024, with an expected completion in 2028.[7][8]

In 2021, the length of the tunnelled portion was increased by 1.9 km to 6.5 km, and the cost of the main construction contract, to be delivered through a public-private partnership, rose to $11.1 billion.[9] The overall long-term budget for the project was set at $16.5 billion in 2017,[10] but this increased to $26.1 billion as of 2023.[11]

History

1969 Melbourne Transportation Plan

The 1969 Melbourne Transportation Plan, released by the State Government under Premier Henry Bolte, planned for 510 kilometres of new freeways across Melbourne. This included the F5 - today the Metropolitan Ring Road - and the F19 - today the Eastern Freeway. It also included three north-south freeways connecting them together - the F6 along the Darebin Creek, the F18 through Watsonia and Bulleen and the F7 via Eltham.

After Henry Bolte's resignation in 1972, his successor Rupert Hamer announced the cancellation of many of the freeway routes. While this did not impact the two east-west routes, the F5 and the F19, all three of the north-south connecting freeways were formally cancelled.[12] Hamer later announced in 1976 that all road reservations for unbuilt urban freeways at that time would be removed. However, this did not occur for many and the land was retained.

Outer Ring Study

Despite assurances that the freeways were cancelled, planning work continued in the State Government. The Joint Road Planning Group, part of the Country Roads Board and Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, developed four proposals for a freeway between the Metropolitan Ring Road and Eastern Freeway in 1979.[13]

They gradually increased in cost and scope as the study progressed. Despite it never being publicly adopted as government policy, most of all four proposals have been or are in the process of being constructed.

Concept A

The proposals began with Concept A which was limited to general road improvements for the local area without encouraging or providing for traffic to and from other areas.

Concept B

Concept B proposed widening existing arterial roads in the area. These were Fitzsimons Lane, Main Road, Wattle Tree Road, Ryans Road, Williamsons Road, Reynolds Road (Templestowe), Andersons Creek Road and Springvale Road. Widening the existing bridge over the Yarra River was also part of the plan.

Concept C

Concept C proposed a new arterial road, utilising some existing road reservations, but requiring a new crossing over the Yarra Valley.

The road was to go east from Greensborough along Allendale Road to Reynolds Road (Eltham), south following the transmission lines to a new bridge at Target Road, along Andersons Creek Road or Mullum Mullum Valley and then along Reynolds Road (Templestowe) and Springvale Road.

Concept D

Concept D proposed new freeway to link the F5 at Diamond Creek to the Scoresby Freeway at Ringwood.

These routes from went east from Greensborough and then south, either along Reynolds Road to a bridge at Target Road or east of Research to a bridge at Alexander Road. South of the Yarra River, routes along either the Mullum Mullum Valley or the ridge to the east, connected to the proposed Eastern Freeway extension near Quarry Road or Glenvale Road.

Bridges would cross at Diamond Creek Road, Ryans Road, Allandale Road, Main Road, Mt Pleasant Road, Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road, Reynolds Road, Tindalls Road, Park Road, Heads Road, Huggins Road, Deep Creek Road and Whitehorse Road.

Eddington Report

Despite repeated assurances from state governments, planning for roads or freeways between the Metropolitan Ring Road and Eastern Freeway continued. In 1999, a map was leaked from VicRoads showing proposals for two of the earlier concepts.[14] Despite this information, in 2002 Transport Minister Peter Batchelor and local ALP state member Craig Langdon publicly promised that the North East Link would not be built.[15]

In 2007, the Eddington Report by Sir Rod Eddington was released, recommending the development of a North East Link.

2008 proposal

In September 2008, GHD released a North East Link Assessment Proposal. This was followed by an announcement of plans for the North East Link along a route through Bulleen by the Brumby Government on 8 December 2008 in the Victorian Transport Plan. It was estimated to cost A$6 billion.[16][17]

On 10 August 2010, Banyule Council contacted Tim Pallas, expressing its disappointment in what appeared to be a lack of transparency in the planning process for the North East Link and requests:

  • Briefing of all options for the North-East Link and any costings and cost benefit analysis.
  • VicRoads to advise of any new proposals that may be developed for the construction of this link.
  • Confirmation if a surface link has been considered and any costings for that link.
  • Confirmation as to whether a surface link is in VicRoads view still a valid option.
  • VicRoads to undertake full public consultation.[18]

The proposed freeway was a major factor in the resignation of the local MP for Ivanhoe. On 24 August 2010, Ivanhoe Labor MP Craig Langdon resigned from state politics stating: "My resignation also enables me to maintain a long-held commitment to the electorate, which was to resign from the government if I believed it was likely to build a freeway through Viewbank, Heidelberg and the Banyule Flats. Unfortunately, it appears that this could now be the case".[19]

On 6 September 2010, Tim Pallas replies to Banyule council advising;

  • VicRoads' planning for the North East Link is at a preliminary stage and detailed planning is still some way off.
  • Once the preliminary stage is complete VicRoads will consult Banyule city council and their residents.
  • The North East link expected to involve a tunnel between Lower Plenty Road and the Eastern Freeway to protect existing suburban areas and to minimise impacts on the Banyule Flats and avoid the Heide Museum.[18]

On 6 October 2010, a North East Link freeway public meeting was held at The Centre in Ivanhoe. On 23 November 2010, Ex-Labor MP Craig Langdon letter boxes thousands of residents of Rosanna, Heidelberg and Ivanhoe with flyers titled "No freeway through Banyule" criticising Anthony Carbines who was preselected as his successor.

On 24 November, Labor announced costing for the proposal of planning, investigative, and environmental assessment activities for the North East Link at $15.4M, with construction originally planned to commence in 2012‐13.[20] On 27 November 2010, the Victorian state election was held, with ALP MP Anthony Carbines winning the seat of Ivanhoe with 36% of primary vote and 51% of preferred vote. This state election also saw the narrow loss of the Labor Brumby Government, putting the plans for a North East Link on hold once again.[21]

Route options

The North East Link – often marketed as the ‘missing link’ in Melbourne's ring road network – will provide an additional major Yarra River crossing for Melbourne.

Three proposed routes for the North East Link were identified by consultation report prepared by GHD Consulting for the Department of Premier and Cabinet in 2008.

Route 1: An eastern option from the Metropolitan Ring Rd to EastLink via Kangaroo Ground and Chirnside Park.

Route 2: A central option from the Metropolitan Ring Rd to EastLink via Eltham and Warrandyte.

Route 3: A western option from the Metropolitan Ring Rd to Eastern Freeway at Bulleen via Watsonia.

Route 3 was selected as the preferred route. The link proposes a combination of above-ground roadway and tunnel between Lower Plenty Road and the Eastern Freeway at Bulleen Road which will traverse the Banyule Flats and Yarra River.[22] Two tunnel proposals have been provided citing selection based on budgetary input. A shorter tunnel from Lower Plenty Rd to Bulleen Rd exiting near the Heide museum and a longer tunnel from Lower Plenty Rd through to the Eastern Freeway. Further detailed engineering investigations and community consultation was undertaken before finalising a route alignment and design for the road connection.

The project was submitted to the federal Australian Government for funding consideration.

Criticism of Route 3

  • The route will have the Eastern freeway carrying both circumferential ring road traffic plus city bound radial traffic. During peak hours this additional traffic will effectively further reduce the capacity of the Eastern Freeway between Bulleen and Ringwood. Other proposed routes connecting Greensborough to Ringwood avoid this problem.
  • The current route may physically divide the local community and result in local residents having difficulty in accessing public services and amenities such as schools, shops and transport. However the group Resolve Rosanna Road would dispute this as it would alleviate a long felt need in the Heidelberg area.[23]
  • The interchange at Bulleen Road may be a complex tunnel/fly-over arrangement requiring land acquisitions from the adjacent Freeway Golf Course and tennis centre significantly diminishing the local amenity.
  • The route would use the median of the Eastern Freeway reserved for the proposed Doncaster railway line.
  • The route options assessment listed in the "North East Link Infrastructure Australia Proposal to Commonwealth of Australia" (obtained via Freedom of Information) contains no quantitative data supporting the economical costings when comparing routes.[24]
  • The Banyule Flats, the Warringal Parklands and the Yarra Corridor (the areas to be affected by the proposed freeway, tunnel or viaduct) are one of the natural areas in the inner North East and are extensively used for recreation.[25] The Banyule City Council in 2014 tabled a proposal to have the Banyule Flats, the Warringal Parklands and the Yarra Corridor made into a Heritage listed area, but the nomination with Heritage Victoria was unsuccessful.[26]

2010–2014: Baillieu/Napthine Governments

As the Baillieu Coalition government won the 2010 state election with no firm commitment to the North East Link, on 9 March 2011 at the Metropolitan Transport Forum, Liberal MP Terry Mulder stated that the new Victorian government would continue to pursue funding for the NE link despite not receiving any funding from the federal government's advisory body Infrastructure Australia.[27] Although this was the case, on 11 May 2011, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Edward O'Donohue stated that North East Link was not part of the new Government's agenda but would be considered in the broader Metropolitan Planning Review which includes all aspects of planning across Melbourne including transport.[28][29]

On 14 August 2013, Roads Minister Terry Mulder's spokeswoman Larissa Garvin states that investigations will continue under the new Napthine Coalition government and that "tunnelling will be required to protect existing urban areas and to minimise environmental impact on the Banyule Flats and Yarra River, with further planning work still needed."[30]

The Coalition led by Denis Napthine lost government at the 2014 state election with no commitment by the government or opposition to fund a North East Link proposal.

2014–present: Increased pressure and Andrews Government proposal

A report dated March 2016 into Rosanna Road in Heidelberg, that shows 38,000 motorists, comprising 2000 trucks, some being B-Doubles use the road on a daily basis, places further pressure to build the North East Link. Labor Roads Minister Luke Donnellan stated the government would not commit to North East Link.[31] Despite winning the 2014 state election with no firm commitments to the North East Link, in April 2016 Labor Treasurer Tim Pallas quoted the North East Link, declaring it "innately" makes sense.[32]

In May 2016, Infrastructure Victoria released its new consultancy options assessment report.[33] In September 2016, RACV released a Redspot survey highlighting that 6 out of 10 road chokepoints in the north east of the city support a North East Link.[34] In October 2016, Infrastructure Victoria recommended that construction on the North East Link should begin in the next 10 to 15 years.[35] In November 2016, the Liberal Federal Government released $15 million in funding for Victorian transport planning including the future of the North East Link.[36]

In December 2016, the Victorian Labor Government led by Premier Daniel Andrews commits to build the North East Link within 10 years at a cost of approximately $10 billion, including the creation of a new North East Link Authority.[37] On 18 February 2017, Victoria Roads Minister Luke Donnellan has announced the appointment of Duncan Elliott (RACV Membership and rewards General Manager) as the new chief executive of the North East Link Authority (NELA).

Route options

On 26 April 2017, Premier Daniel Andrews announced that North East Link planning would begin within the next few months, as $100 million was allocated in the 2017/18 Victorian State Budget for the project.

As part of the Andrews Government's planning for the North East Link, the North East Link Authority announced in early-mid 2017 four potential route (corridor) options that the North East Link could take:

  • Route A (Red): A western option from the Metropolitan Ring Road to Eastern Freeway at Bulleen, via Watsonia and Rosanna.
  • Route B (Yellow): A central option from the Metropolitan Ring Road to Eastlink at Ringwood, via Watsonia, Lower Plenty and Donvale.
  • Route C (Purple): An eastern option from the Metropolitan Ring Road to EastLink at Ringwood, via Eltham, Warrandyte and Donvale.
  • Route D (Green): A far eastern option from the Metropolitan Ring Road to EastLink at Wantirna, via Kangaroo Ground, Lilydale and the Healesville Freeway Reserve.

Preferred Route

On 24 November 2017, the Andrews Government announced that it had selected Route A as the preferred route, identical to that of the preferred route under the former Brumby Government's Proposal. Preliminary costs and property acquisition details were also announced for the preferred route of the North East Link.

In April 2019, CPB and Laing O’Rourke were shortlisted for the $200 million early works package. The early works package began in early 2020, following planning approvals, and delivered a range of power, water and other utility works to pave the way for major construction on the $15.8 billion project between 2022 and 2024.[38]

Exits and interchanges

LGALocation[39][40]kmmiDestinationsNotes
BanyuleGreensborough0.00.0 Metropolitan Ring Road (M80) – Seymour, Melbourne AirportNorthern terminus of North East Link; road continues as Metropolitan Ring Road
Greensborough Bypass (State Route 46) – Diamond Creek, Hurstbridge
1.00.62 Grimshaw Street (State Route 48) – Bundoora, GreensboroughSingle-point urban interchange
Yallambie3.52.2 Greensborough Road (State Route 46) – Greensborough, RosannaNorthbound entrance and southbound exit only
4.62.9 Lower Plenty Road (State Route 44) – Eltham, RosannaSouthbound entrance and northbound exit only
ManninghamBulleen7.74.8 Manningham Road (State Route 40) – Heidelberg, DoncasterSouthbound entrance and northbound exit only
BoroondaraBalwyn North9.86.1 Thompsons Road (State Route 42) – Balwyn North, BulleenNorthbound entrance and southbound exit only
Eastern Freeway (M3) – Clifton Hill, Ringwood, FrankstonY-interchange; southern terminus of North East Link
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Tolls

In March 2020, the state government announced that a state-owned corporation known as "North East Link State Tolling Corporation" would be set up to collect tolls for the North East Link.[41][42]

Proposed benefits

North East Link would complete Melbourne's Metropolitan Ring Road project and is estimated to carry around 100,000 vehicles a day, providing non-stop movement and easier access for freight operators, particularly between the growing industrial areas around Dandenong, Campbellfield and the new freight-hub near Donnybrook.

With Melbourne's north expected to be home to around one million people in 2026, it is posited that the North East Link will reduce reliance on Fitzsimons Lane, Heidelberg Road and Rosanna Road, and enhance road access to Melbourne Airport as well as popular regional and interstate destinations, and will allow traffic to bypass central Melbourne.

Criticism

North East Link fails to effectively complete Melbourne's Ring Road project due to its connection to and reliance upon the Eastern Freeway and would be the only section of the Ring Road to rely on an existing radial freeway as a part of the route. The Victorian Transport Association has expressed its preference for an unconstrained ring road (known as Option C[43]) to be constructed in the future.[44]

North East Link is the most expensive road project ever constructed in Victoria and has already faced significant cost blowouts from an originally planned $10bn to $16bn.[45]

A shift away from public transport to road transport of around 25,000 commuters per day is expected, with Tony Morton of the Public Transport Users Association quoted as saying "It's remarkable that anyone working in the public interest would be so positive about a project they find will put more traffic on the road at the expense of public transport."[46]

Community opposition

Since the announcement of the North East Link project, several community groups and local councils have voiced their opposition to the planned tollway.

Boroondara, Whitehorse, Manningham and Banyule city councils undertook legal action to challenge the project in 2020.[47] Each had previously passed council resolutions to either not support or to directly oppose the chosen North East Link route.[48][49][50]

Yarra city council also independently opposes the North East Link, making a submission detailing its concerns with the project to the Independent and Advisory Committee in 2019.[51]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "About North East Link Project". Victoria's Big Build. 1 June 2022. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  2. ↑ "North East Link Program - Victoria's Big Build". North East Link Program. June 2022. Archived from the original on 13 July 2022.
  3. ↑ Build, Victoria’s Big (5 December 2022). "Eastern Express Busway". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  4. ↑ Towell, Noel (9 September 2018). "North-East Link: Superhighway through Melbourne's east". The Age. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  5. ↑ McDougall, William. "North East Link – the perfect storm". Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  6. ↑ Carey, Adam; Preiss, Benjamin (11 December 2016). "Andrews government promises to build $10b missing link in Metropolitan Ring Road". The Age. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  7. ↑ Build, Victoria’s Big (24 January 2023). "Early Works". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  8. ↑ Build, Victoria’s Big (27 October 2022). "North East Link tunnel boring machines on the way". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  9. ↑ Juanola, Sumeyya Ilanbey, Marta Pascual (28 October 2021). "North East Link $11.1b contract to include state's longest tunnels". The Age. Retrieved 9 February 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑ Jacks, Clay Lucas, Timna (24 November 2017). "North East Link route confirmed as government sets budget at $16.5 billion". The Age. Retrieved 9 February 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ↑ Kolovos, Benita; correspondent, Benita Kolovos Victorian state (15 December 2023). "Jacinta Allan reveals $10bn blow out in cost of Victoria's largest road project". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  12. ↑ "Issues and Trends: Transport" (PDF). Northern Central City Corridor Study. www.doi.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 July 2008. Retrieved 18 July 2008.
  13. ↑ Outer Ring Study : Diamond Creek to Ringwood Technical report : community response and social profile prepared for the Road Planning Liason Committee by the Joint Road Planning Group. Joint Road Planning Group. Road Planning Liaison Committee. 1979. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  14. ↑ Road plans row (PDF) (Volume 23 No. 4 ed.). Public Transport Users Association. September 1999. p. 1. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  15. ↑ Davidson, Kenneth (14 February 2010). "Projects built at expense of community". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  16. ↑ Lucas, Clay (16 December 2016). "North East Link to shift 25,000 rail passengers a day to cars, says Andrews government report". The Age. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  17. ↑ The Victorian Transport Plan (PDF). Melbourne, Australia: State Government of Victoria. 2008.
  18. 1 2 "Banyule City Council Agenda" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 March 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  19. ↑ "Freeway dissenter urges referendum". The Age. 26 August 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  20. ↑ "North East Link Release" (PDF). Government of Victoria.
  21. ↑ "State 2010 Tally Room Electorate Ivanhoe District". Government of Victoria. 2010.
  22. ↑ "Department of Premier and Cabinet Report for East West Link Needs Assessment Response Tema" (PDF). GHD. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 June 2009.
  23. ↑ "Resolve Rosanna Road - About Us". Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  24. ↑ "North East Link Infrastructure Australia" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 March 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  25. ↑ Lucas, Clay (16 December 2016). "North East Link to shift 25,000 rail passengers a day to cars, says Andrews government report". The Age.
  26. ↑ "Victorian Heritage Register". Banyule City Council. n.d. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  27. ↑ Inc, Friends of Banyule (20 March 2011). "Chasing NE Link funding a wrong turn". {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  28. ↑ Inc, Friends of Banyule (26 May 2011). "The Coalition government and the NE Link". {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  29. ↑ "Events". Friends of Banyule. n.d.
  30. ↑ "Plan for Ring Road to connect city's north, east". Archived from the original on 15 August 2013.
  31. ↑ Lucas, Clay (7 June 2016). "Is Rosanna Road Melbourne's most dangerous? Damning new report given to VicRoads". The Age.
  32. ↑ Gordon, Josh; Willingham, Richard (28 April 2016). "'Missing Link' road project placed on the political agenda". The Age.
  33. ↑ "Options Assessment 1 Report" (PDF). Infrastructure Victoria. 20 May 2016. p. 148. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2016.
  34. ↑ David, Rebecca; Miller, Nick (12 September 2016). "2016 RACV Leader News Redspot Survey highlights Melbourne's worst congestion". Herald Sun.
  35. ↑ "Victoria's Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy" (PDF). 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  36. ↑ "Media Release – $15 million feasibility study to deal with North-East Congestion". Scott Ryan. 16 November 2016.
  37. ↑ Redrup, Yolanda (11 December 2016). "Victoria announces $10 billion North East Link". Financial Review. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  38. ↑ "Victoria's Biggest Road Project Another Step Closer". Mirage News. 2 April 2019.
  39. ↑ "North-East Link Map, October 2018" (PDF). North East Link Project. 1 October 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  40. ↑ "Melbourne Suburbs Map". Melbourne Suburbs Map. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  41. ↑ "A New Tolling Structure To Get On With North East Link". Premier of Victoria. 4 March 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  42. ↑ "North East Link Bill 2020". Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  43. ↑ "A map of route C option for the North East Link". ABC News. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  44. ↑ "VTA urges creative thinking: North-East Link". Roads & Infrastructure Magazine. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  45. ↑ "$6.5 billion blowout of North East Link costs – 9News". 9 News. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  46. ↑ Lucas, Clay (16 December 2016). "North East Link to shift 25,000 rail passengers a day to cars, says Andrews government report". The Age. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  47. ↑ Lucas, Clay (11 February 2020). "Councils justified in legal challenge to North East Link". The Age. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  48. ↑ "North East Link timeline". City of Boroondara. 2 December 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  49. ↑ Le, John (24 November 2017). "Council advocates on behalf of residents to limit Option A impacts". Manningham Council. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  50. ↑ "Corridors – North East Link". Shaping Banyule. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  51. ↑ "NORTH EAST LINK UPDATES". www.yarracity.vic.gov.au. 16 July 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
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