Designs for the $15.8 billion North East Link project have been released, with new 3D videos, images and maps of the Victorian project.
Peter Anderson, Victorian Transport Association (VTA) CEO, has urged the North-East Link Authority, which is examining proposed corridor options for the ‘missing link’ in the M80 Ring Road around Melbourne, to prioritise the safe and seamless through-movement of heavy vehicles in design and planning for the road.
Community feedback has been implemented for the designs, with new green bridges, more open spaces, a new noise standard and 25km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths introduced.
The twin three lane tunnels are now 5.3km long to protect homes and parkland above, with ventilation structures as far from homes as possible. A 1.2km section of lowered road will also be included in the project to create more open spaces with green land bridges.
A noise standard for the North East Link has been set at 63 decibels, with noise walls alongside the West Gate Tunnel to make it the quietest in the state.
Construction will begin on the project in 2020 if the government is re-elected and is expected to open in 2027. The project aims to take trucks off local streets and ease congestion in the north eastern suburbs.
“The North East Link will be Victoria’s longest road tunnel, with massive land bridges and a series of high-tech interchanges to minimise impacts on homes, businesses and environmentally sensitive areas,” said Luke Donnellan, Victorian minister for roads and road safety.
“These designs show the community what North East Link will look like, how it will improve local access, open up new public spaces and how it will be built to the toughest noise requirements in our state’s history.”
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