Melbourne’s EastLink has been awarded a top five star sustainability rating for the second consecutive year by the GRESB Infrastructure Assessment.
The internationally recognised GRESB Infrastructure Assessment covers the environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of 160 infrastructure assets located around the world.
EastLink spokesperson Doug Spencer-Roy said, “To be awarded GRESB’s top five star rating for the second consecutive year demonstrates that EastLink is a world-leading infrastructure asset.
EastLink’s environmental sustainability is unique for a road, including 480 hectares of landscaping, and four million native trees, shrubs and plants. We have recently planted more than 11,000 additional native trees and shrubs as part of our active landscape management.
“Unlike other roads, EastLink’s 60 wetlands treat rainwater running off the road surface. This ensures that water is returned to a relatively high quality before entering local creeks.
“In an Australian first, EastLink has recently upgraded its ten tunnel exhaust fans to incorporate variable speed drives, which will result in considerable direct energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The upgrade will also reduce vent stack fan noise in the adjacent community.”
EastLink’s sustainability performance is unmatched by any toll road, its achievements include:
- Top “five star” rating awarded by GRESB in 2016 and 2017
- High traffic – 250,000 vehicles per day
- Fast – 95km/hr average vehicle speed measured in the 100km/hr zones
- Safe – casualty accident rate just 2.46 per 100 million vehicle kilometres
- Lowest tolls in Australia – just 16 cents per km for cars
- 480 hectares of landscaping with four million native trees, shrubs and plants
- More than 60 wetlands treat rainwater runoff
- 35km EastLink Trail for cyclists, runners and pedestrians
- Distinctive architecture and 12 public artworks
- Local call centre and customer centre employ local people with local knowledge
