Bulleen Road Ramp Closure and Major Nightly Freeway Restrictions Start Tonight

Melbourne Traffic and Commute Update: Wednesday, 4 February 2026

Commuters across Melbourne should prepare for a significant shift in traffic patterns starting tonight. While the morning peak is expected to follow standard mid-week conditions, several major construction milestones under the Big Build program will trigger long-term closures and nightly lane restrictions beginning this evening, Wednesday, 4 February.

Major Roadworks and Freeway Closures

The most significant disruption begins tonight at 9:00 pm on the Eastern Freeway. As part of the North East Link project, the Bulleen Road citybound exit ramp will close and remain inaccessible until mid-March. This 24/7 closure is required for the construction of a new shared path underpass and noise walls. Motorists should allow at least 20 minutes of extra travel time and use alternative exits at Doncaster Road or Tram Road.

On the West Gate Freeway, lane closures will impact inbound travel tonight. Between 9:00 pm and 5:00 am, three lanes will be closed citybound from Millers Road to Williamstown Road for essential line marking. A reduced speed limit of 40km/h will be enforced through the work zone. Drivers heading toward the city from the west are urged to plan for delays or consider the newly opened West Gate Tunnel as an alternative.

Other notable road disruptions include:

• Calder Freeway: A southbound lane closure will be in place at the Kings Road interchange from 9:00 pm tonight until 5:30 am Thursday. Detours will be via the Calder Freeway ramps.
• Cheltenham Road, Keysborough: All westbound lanes will be closed between Chapel Road and Perry Road from 8:30 pm tonight for asphalt resurfacing. Heavy detours are in place via Lonsdale Street and the Dandenong Bypass.
• CBD Works: Scaffolding modifications at the intersection of Russell and Flinders Street will conclude today, though northbound lane closures remain on Elizabeth Street between Franklin and Therry streets due to ongoing drainage works.

Public Transport and the 'Big Switch'

Commuters are reminded that following the full opening of the Metro Tunnel on February 1, the metropolitan rail network is operating under a permanent new timetable. Pakenham and Cranbourne line services now run exclusively through the Metro Tunnel, bypassing the City Loop and South Yarra Station. If you are travelling to South Yarra from the southeast, you must now change trains at Caulfield or Richmond.

On the tram network, Route 58 continues to experience stop closures on Kings Way, while minor service adjustments remain in place across the city following the conclusion of the Victoria Street Lunar Festival. Passengers at Southern Cross Station should also note ongoing escalator upgrade works, which may cause minor platform congestion during peak periods.

Commuter Advice

With major night works starting on the Eastern and West Gate freeways, those working late or travelling tonight should confirm their routes before departing. Use the West Gate Tunnel to bypass freeway lane closures where possible, and strictly observe the 40km/h zones to ensure the safety of road crews.