Doncaster bridge demolition set to cause 90-minute delays in early January

Planning on using the Eastern Freeway over the next week or so? Here’s how to avoid upcoming closures.

Author

Matthew Sims
January 06, 2026

The old Doncaster Road bridge will be no more as of next Monday, as demolition works make way for a new 10-lane thoroughfare.

  • Eastern Freeway users are advised to plan for delays of up to 90 minutes.

  • The freeway will close in both directions between Doncaster Road and Middleborough Road from 10pm on Wednesday January 7 to 5am on Monday January 12.

❓What’s happening? The demolition of the old bridge will allow construction to begin on the southern side of the new Doncaster Road bridge.

  • Other works along the closure will include installing drainage, lifting steel beams into place at Bulleen and installing high-voltage power lines under the freeway between Tram Road and Middleborough Road.

Plan ahead: Eastern Freeway to close for the first time in more than 25 years

The major road closure follows on from many months of roadworks, speed limit reductions as part of a broad program of upgrades. Here’s how to avoid a potential 90 minutes of delays in your weekend commute.

🚧Ongoing upgrades: The works form part of broader upgrades of the Eastern Freeway, which will introduce six new express lanes, new traffic management technology and Melbourne’s first dedicated busway.

🛑 Two-way detours: Drivers will be required to detour via Doncaster Road and Wetherby Road to re-enter the freeway.

🚗Limited access: The following freeway ramps will be closed during the full freeway closure to help ease traffic congestion:

  • Chandler Highway: Ringwood-bound entry ramp;

  • Thompsons Road: Ringwood-bound entry ramp;

  • Bulleen Road: Citybound exit ramp;

  • Springvale Road: citybound entry ramp; and

  • Blackburn Road: Citybound entry ramp.

⛔No stopping: Street parking in both directions along Doncaster Road will also be closed between Wetherby Road and High Street.