The Albanese and Allan Labor governments are nearing completion on one of Melbourne’s longest rail tunnels, with major works wrapping up on the extension of the Hurstbridge Line tunnel between Grimshaw Street and Elder Street in Watsonia.

Today marked the end of the 30-day construction blitz between Heidelberg and Eltham stations. Crews worked around the block to rebuild and widen the Grimshaw Street Bridge and extend the rail tunnel as part of the M80 Ring Road Completion project. 

With works now complete, trains will resume for passengers on the Hurstbridge Line from tomorrow, with some minor final works to the rail line continuing into early next year. 

The extended tunnel now stretches almost 500 metres, making it the third longest rail tunnel on the metropolitan network behind the City Loop and the new Metro Tunnel. 

The project is also nearing completion on important corridor upgrades, including modernising tracks, gantries, wires and signalling to replace ageing infrastructure. Helping to improve safety and reliability for passengers along a 5-kilometre stretch of line between Macleod and Greensborough stations. 

Work is also powering ahead above the rail line, with drivers now using new lanes for the first time along the M80 Ring Road and Greensborough Bypass as the new M80 Ring Road Interchange takes shape. 

The completed M80 Ring Road will take 19,000 cars and trucks off Greensborough Road each day.

More than 8,000 workers are currently delivering North East Link, the state’s largest road project which is creating over 12,000 jobs.

The Allan Labor Government has also delivered the Hurstbridge Line Duplication project, which duplicated 3.5 kilometres of track, opened two new stations at Greensborough and Montmorency and upgraded Diamond Creek Station – allowing 40 weekly services to be added for passengers on the line.

The North East Link tunnels, M80 Ring Road Completion and Eastern Freeway Upgrades are jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments and will be complete in 2028 – slashing travel times by up to 35 minutes and taking 15,000 trucks off local roads.

Quote attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King: 

“It’s great to see major progress on the rail tunnel extension and the completion of the M80 Ring Road works – and I want to thank passengers for their patience over the past month while crews worked around the clock to get it done.” 

Quote attributable to Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams:

 “We are upgrading aging rail infrastructure to improve reliability and allowing more trains to run more often – while on our roads we are delivering new and better connections that will keep people moving.” 

Quote attributable to Federal Member for Jagajaga Kate Thwaites: 

"This project has been talked about for 60 years – we’re getting on and building the much-needed missing link because families in our growing state need it and jobs depend on it."

Quote attributable to Member for Eltham Vicki Ward: 

"For decades locals have been talking about the need to fix the missing link in our road network - it's fantastic to now see the tunnel taking shape and trains running again along the Hurstbridge Line."

Quote attributable to Member for Ivanhoe Anthony Carbines: 

“This is a big win for locals – less congestion on our roads, better rail connections, and another step towards finishing the North East Link.”