North East Link breaks through

by JAMES POYNER
25th May 2026

ZELDA, the northbound Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) has broken through in Bulleen, marking the completion of excavation works for the first of the two three-lane tunnels.
TBM Gillian is continuing excavation of the southbound tunnel and is expected to break through in the coming months.
The tunnels are expected to provide a direct route for up to 15,000 trucks each day, reducing travel times by up to 35 minutes between Melbourne’s north and east.
More than 39,000 precast concrete segments manufactured in Benalla have been installed inside the tunnels.
Crews are now building the road inside the tunnels and installing electrical, lighting, and safety systems.
Above-ground works are continuing on key connections into the tunnels and the Greensborough Road boulevard.
North East Link is delivering three major road projects, including the new tunnels as well as upgrades on the M80 Ring Road and the Eastern Freeway.
To the north, construction is progressing on the M80 Ring Road Completion flyover bridge.
Traffic is expected to move onto the new Watsonia Road bridge in the coming months.
More than 12,000 jobs are being supported across the project.

“The tunnels will take pressure off local roads and improve travel times across the network,”
said Federal Member for Menzies Gabriel Ng.

North East Link is jointly funded by the Australian Government ($5 billion) and the Victorian Government ($21.21B) and will open to traffic in 2028.

“This investment will make it easier and faster for people to get where they need to go,”
said State Upper House Member for North Eastern Metropolitan Sonja Terpstra.