Major projects to cause summer transport headaches across Melbourne

Ten rail lines, seven tram routes and four major roads across Melbourne will be partially shut this summer for major works. We list them.

Ten train lines will be disrupted this summer. Picture: Tony Gough

Summer scorchers won’t be the only thing getting commuters hot under the collar this month, with an extraordinary number of major projects set to cause congestion chaos.

Ten rail lines, seven tram routes and four major roads are being partially shutdown at various times this summer so that works can be accelerated during office shutdowns and quieter travel periods.

Our biggest roads are among those hit, including the Monash Freeway being widened during January causing lane closures, and the West Gate Freeway and M80 upgrade also wreaking havoc.

Motorists and passengers are being urged to plan their journeys carefully to avoid snarls or add extra time to journeys as many families look to flee the city for a summer break.

An eye-watering $80 billion program of works is ongoing in Victoria, but the Andrews Government came under fire late last year for big budget blowouts on key road and rail mega-projects – the West Gate Tunnel and Metro Tunnel.

Those projects have already had a combined $6.66 billion in cost overruns.

Another signature policy, the removal of level crossings, is proceeding ahead of schedule with 58 to be “gone for good” in 2022.

Two crossings – at Greens Road, Dandenong South and Clyde Road, Berwick – have major works scheduled for summer and will cause commuter chaos.

Drivers are being urged to plan ahead to avoid snarls during the summer project blitz. Picture: David Geraghty

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the pandemic had not slowed the state’s road and rail works.

“Over the past two years – we’ve continued to remove level crossings, upgrade local roads and deliver the projects that will help our city grow and supports thousands of jobs,” she said.

“During summer works will continue on the projects that will improve the way Victorians travel.

“We thank Victorians for their patience and ask them to plan ahead as they get out and about to enjoy summer.”

The M1 Freeway has already been hit by major works after Boxing Day, with annual maintenance shutting three of five outbound lanes on the West Gate Bridge.

On January 4 all lanes reopen, but from January 11 until late February there will be works along the West Gate Freeway.

This will include the closure of Williamstown Rd beneath the freeway, as well as citybound entry and exit ramps.

Daytime lane closures are scheduled for the Monash Freeway between Warrigal Rd and Cardinia Rd in January, with reduced speed limits also in place.

Major works are set to begin on the $16b North East Link between the Eastern Freeway in Bulleen and the M80 at Greensborough this year.

Over summer, works on a Bulleen Park and Ride being built as part of that project are ongoing.

Buses will also replace trains at various times across the network when the Cranbourne line is upgraded and level crossings removed over summer.

Track duplication works are set to be finished in early 2022 – a year ahead of schedule.

Tram services impacted over summer include track renewals on High Street in Northcote, and Mt Alexander Road in Essendon, as well as on Glenferrie Road in Kooyong and Swan Street in Richmond.

More information on disruptions at bigbuild.vic.gov.au