North East Link tunnelling now complete

Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) Zelda and Gillian have broken through in Bulleen, completing tunnelling for North East Link.

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Starting their journey from Watsonia to Bulleen just under two years ago, Zelda and Gillian have completed just over 5 kilometres of the 6.5 kilometre North East Link northbound and southbound tunnels to help fix the missing link in Melbourne’s freeway network. The SEM tunnels in Bulleen have been excavated with roadheaders.

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In addition to excavating the tunnels, the TBMs have installed 43,000 precast concrete segments made locally in Benalla, while more than 4,000 culverts made in Echuca are creating a service tunnel to allow access for maintenance vehicles.

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The TBMs will now be dismantled and removed from site, with the parts to be recycled or returned to the manufacturer for other uses.

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Crews are continuing with building the road inside the tunnel and installing electrical, lighting and safety systems. Above ground, works are continuing on the connections into the tunnel, the new Greensborough Road boulevard, the motorway control centre and two ventilation structures.

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When open in 2028, the tunnels will provide a direct route for up to 15,000 trucks every day and reduce driver travel time by up to 35 minutes between Melbourne’s north and east.