PROJECT REPORT
The project has long been referred to as the missing link in Melbourne’s freeway network.
BUILDING THE
MISSING LINK
ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES A SNAPSHOT OF VICTORIA’S LARGEST ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT – THE NORTH EAST LINK.
I
t’s been dubbed by Victorian Transport Minister Jacinta Allan as the state’s largest road infrastructure project and a highpriority project on Infrastructure Australia’s Priority List. But despite community and council concerns that recommendations from the environmental effects statement were ignored, the Victorian Government is charging on with construction on the $15.8 billion North East Link. The project is slated to be the biggest road infrastructure project in the southern hemisphere and on track to be completed by 2027. It aims to deliver substantial transport, economic and liveability benefits by improving cross-city connectivity and addressing critical traffic, freight and amenity issues. As Melbourne’s urban sprawl places pressure on travel around the city, the city needs to accommodate additional connectivity beyond cross city travel. With the Victorian capital on track to hit eight million by 2051, its population is set to rival the size of London and New York today and outstrip Sydney. In the 70s and 80s, Melbourne’s transport network saw demand for radial trips met through the Tullamarine, South Eastern, Monash and West Gate Freeways. The Melbourne Underground Rail Loop was completed, improving
connectivity in the inner city. But in the 90s, decentralisation occured following the opening of Melbourne’s first orbital freeway, the M80 Ring Road, which bypassed the congested centre. It followed with investments in the 2000s through the CityLink and EastLink which were catalysts for land use change and intensification, creating high levels of employment and commercial development. But the northeast corridor remained disconnected, despite extensive demand for daily travel between the northeast and the city’s north, east and outer-east. According to the North East Link Environmental Impact Statement summary report, there’s been a lack of a freeway standard connection in the northeast, often referred to as the “missing link” in the city’s freeway network. As a result, this is constraining the performance of the wider transport network and reducing connectivity and accessibility for households and businesses across the city. The business case shows that without the North East Link, the performance of the road network in Melbourne’s northeast would deteriorate significantly with crosscity movements between the north and east, placing pressure on arterial roads. The project is therefore seeking to address three critical transport-related
challenges: poor cross-city movements, inefficient freight movement between the north and southeast and congestion and heavy vehicles on local and arterial roads. The Victorian Government announced shortlisted consortiums for the major works contract as part of the Public Private Partnership. CPB Contractors was appointed to lead the early works package, valued at more than $200 million, with planning work already underway. CPB’s works will include the design, development and relocation and/or protection of utility services, including 220-kilowatt transmission towers, other electrical assets, telecommunications assets, water and sewerage assets and drainage and gas pipelines. Early works are scheduled to start in 2020, subject to planning approval and set to be completed by 2021. In late 2020, the major works bidder will be selected with works expected to start shortly after. Transport Minister Jacinta Allan says the project has been talked about for decades. “The North East Link will improve travel times for locals, making sure they get to where they need to go sooner and safer,” she says. “We’re fixing this missing link in the city’s freeway network to improve connectivity and accessibility for households and businesses across the city.” roadsonline.com.au
19
