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.

Author

Matthew Sims
September 01, 2025

🚌 25+ years in the making: For the first time in more than 25 years, the Eastern Freeway will be closed in both directions over the weekend to allow for the construction of a new and wider pedestrian and cycling bridge at Heyington Avenue.

🚧What’s working: 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, as well as connecting the Eastern Freeway to the new North East Link tunnels in Bulleen.

As part of the North East Link project, works are currently underway to construct two 6.5-kilometre tunnels between Watsonia and Bulleen and widen parts of the Eastern Freeway to up to 20 lanes, including off and on ramps.

⏰ How long should you add to your trip? Delays of up to 90 minutes are expected when the freeway closes in both directions between Doncaster Road and Tram Road from 10pm on Friday September 5 to 5am on Monday September 8.

Motorists are advised to plan ahead and find other routes to the city or towards Ringwood, with delays of up to 90 minutes expected over the weekend during peak times.

🛑 Two-way detours: Those travelling into the city will take detours via Tram Road and Doncaster Road, while motorists travelling towards Ringwood must take Doncaster Road and Wetherby Road to re-enter the freeway.

🚗 But wait, there’s more:

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

  • Chandler Highway: Ringwood-bound entry ramp;

  • Bulleen Road: Ringwood-bound entry ramp;

  • Elgar Road: Citybound entry ramp;

  • Middleborough Road: Citybound entry ramp;

  • Blackburn Road: Citybound entry ramp; and

  • Springvale Road: Citybound entry ramp.

Due to these ramp closures, Blackburn Road and Middleborough Road city-bound entry ramp bus stops will be closed.

The new Heyington Avenue bridge will complement another upgraded bridge at Estelle Street in Bulleen, with both bridges expected to open to the public in late 2025.                

Overnight closures will continue for the bridge works until late November.

Temporary traffic changes on the Eastern Freeway will also continue throughout the closures period.

🗣️ Eastern Freeway Upgrades Burke to Tram Package director, Matthew Hill, said all drivers are advised to plan ahead to reduce congestion and confusion.

“We thank drivers for their ongoing patience as we deliver the new bridge as part of essential upgrades to the Eastern Freeway,” he said.