Eastern Freeway Bottlenecks and Metro Tunnel Shifts: Melbourne Saturday Traffic Update

Significant Disruptions on the Eastern Freeway

Commuters heading through Melbourne's north-east today, Saturday, 14 March 2026, should prepare for ongoing delays as the North East Link project enters a critical construction phase. The most significant impact remains the closure of the Bulleen Road citybound exit ramp. This closure is expected to remain in place until mid-month as crews finalize noise wall installations and foundations for a new shared path underpass. Motorists are advised to allow at least 20 minutes of extra travel time.

Additionally, citybound lanes on the Eastern Freeway between Doncaster Road and Bulleen Road have been split into two sections. While the same number of lanes remain open, speed limits have been reduced to 40km/h through the work zone. Drivers are urged to follow all overhead signage and avoid late lane changes, as the split configuration can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the current setup.

Public Transport: Navigating the New Metro Tunnel

Following the successful opening of the Metro Tunnel, Melbourne’s rail network continues to adjust to a new era of cross-city travel. Passengers on the Cranbourne, Pakenham, and Sunbury lines are reminded that their services no longer stop at Richmond or run through the traditional City Loop. Instead, these lines now utilize the new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and Anzac.

For those heading to the MCG for today’s AFL action, please note that you must change at Caulfield or Malvern for a Frankston Line service to reach Richmond Station. Alternatively, you can disembark at Town Hall Station and take a short walk via the William Barak Bridge. On the Hurstbridge Line, major works continue with replacement buses operating between Heidelberg and Eltham. This disruption is part of a rail system upgrade and is scheduled to continue through late March.

Roadworks and Suburban Rail Loop Updates

In the western suburbs, the recently opened West Gate Tunnel (M4) is providing a smooth alternative to the West Gate Bridge. However, minor lane closures persist on Westernport Road in Heath Hill for rehabilitation works. These closures are active during daylight hours, so expect localized slowing between Phillips Road and Mount Lyall Road.

Construction for the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East is also ramping up. Travelers in the eastern corridor should be mindful of increased truck movements and localized traffic management around station sites in Box Hill, Burwood, and Monash. Most works are contained within site boundaries, but lane narrowings on adjacent surface streets are common.

Commuter Advice for Saturday

• Plan your journey using the latest digital maps, as the new Metro Tunnel stations have changed traditional transfer points.
• Use the West Gate Tunnel as an alternative to the bridge to save time on cross-city trips.
• If traveling to the city via the Eastern Freeway, merge early before the lane split at Doncaster Road.
• Check for live rail updates if using the Hurstbridge or Mernda lines, as minor delays are reported across the northern network today.