Detailed designs for Melbourne’s new $15.8 billion North East Link project have been released by the Victorian Government.
With the reference design now complete, procurement can start.
Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, joined Minister for Roads, Luke Donnellan, to unveil new 3D videos, images and maps of the mega project that will be on display across the north eastern suburbs over coming weeks.
“North East Link will be Victoria’s longest road tunnel, with massive land bridges and a series of high-tech interchanges to minimise impacts on homes, businesses and environmentally sensitive areas,” Mr Donnellan said.
“These designs show the community what North East Link will look like, how it will improve local access, open up new public spaces and how it will be built to the toughest noise requirements in our state’s history.”
In response to community feedback, the new design features more open space with new green bridges, a new noise standard and 25km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths.
The twin three lane tunnels are now 5.3km long, protecting homes and environmentally sensitive parkland above, with the ventilation structures as far away from homes as possible.
The design features 1.2km of lowered road to minimise the visual impact and create more open spaces with green land bridges.
North East Link will also be built to a noise standard of 63 decibels, with better noise walls – standing alongside the West Gate Tunnel as one of the quietest motorways in the state.
North East Link will give local roads back to local people, taking trucks off local streets, slashing travel times and easing congestion in the north eastern suburbs.
Construction is expected to start in 2020, with the road expected to open in 2027.
