Alamein Line Disruptions and Eastern Freeway Delays: Friday 13 February Commute Guide

Morning Commute Overview

Good morning, Melbourne. As we head into Friday, 13 February 2026, commuters are advised to prepare for significant disruptions on the Alamein train line and ongoing major roadworks in the city's east. While the recently opened West Gate Tunnel continues to provide relief for western suburbs, those traveling via the Eastern Freeway should expect heavy congestion and changed traffic conditions due to North East Link upgrades.

Public Transport Alerts

The most significant disruption this morning affects the Alamein Line. Starting today and continuing through the weekend, buses will replace trains between Parliament and Burnley. Additionally, trains will not be running through the City Loop for this line, with commuters urged to allow at least 20 to 30 minutes of extra travel time. Rail replacement buses will be in operation, but heavy Friday morning traffic may impact their reliability.

• Southern Cross Station: Escalator upgrade works are ongoing across all platforms. Please follow directional signage and allow extra time to navigate the concourse during peak hours.
• Metro Tunnel: Services through the new Metro Tunnel stations (including Arden, Parkville, and State Library) are running as scheduled, providing an alternative for those bypassing the City Loop.
• Cranbourne and Pakenham Lines: Long-term car park closures and pedestrian access changes remain in place at several stations as part of final precinct upgrades.

Major Roadworks and Traffic Conditions

Drivers in the east are facing the most challenging conditions today. As part of the North East Link project, Eastern Freeway citybound lanes between Doncaster Road and Bulleen Road have been split into two sections. This configuration is expected to remain until mid-March, with a permanent speed reduction of 60km/h through the work zone.

• Bulleen Road: The citybound exit ramp from the Eastern Freeway remains closed 24/7 for critical path works. Motorists should detour via Doncaster Road or Tram Road, adding approximately 20 minutes to their journey.
• CityLink: Overnight maintenance in the Burnley Tunnel is scheduled to wrap up by 5:00 AM this morning. While all lanes will be open for the morning peak, some residual heavy patches may exist near the tunnel entry. No works are scheduled for Friday night.
• West Gate Tunnel: Now in its third month of full operation, the tunnel is successfully diverting significant truck traffic away from local roads in Footscray and Yarraville. Commuters from the west are encouraged to choose between the tunnel and the West Gate Bridge early while on the M80 Ring Road.

Commuter Advice

With Friday often seeing varied traffic patterns, we recommend checking the latest real-time data before leaving home. If you are an Alamein Line passenger, consider using the Glen Waverley or Belgrave lines where possible to connect closer to the CBD. For those on the roads, the split-lane configuration on the Eastern Freeway requires extra focus; please avoid late lane changes to ensure a smooth flow of traffic for everyone.