Eastern Freeway Lane Splits and Bulleen Road Closures to Impact Monday Commute

Morning Commute Overview

As Melbourne returns to the working week this Monday, 16 March 2026, commuters should prepare for significant changes to traffic flow on major eastern arteries. While overnight maintenance on CityLink is scheduled to wrap up before the peak, long-term construction projects and new maintenance works in the west will require extra travel time.

Major Road Disruptions

The Eastern Freeway remains the primary area of concern for motorists. As part of the North East Link project, city-bound lanes between Doncaster Road and Bulleen Road have been split into two distinct sections. Drivers are advised to avoid unnecessary lane changes and strictly follow the reduced speed limits. Additionally, the Bulleen Road city-bound exit ramp remains closed for critical works, with delays of up to 20 minutes expected in the surrounding area.

On the CityLink (M2), the city-bound stretch between Flemington Road and the West Gate Freeway is scheduled to reopen at 5:00 am following overnight maintenance. However, those planning a late-night return should note that the outbound lanes between the West Gate Freeway and Mount Alexander Road will close starting at 9:00 pm tonight.

In the western suburbs, a new project begins today at the Williamstown Road-Melbourne Road overpass in Newport. Commuters can expect lane closures and potential bottlenecks due to structure remediation works at Maddox Drain, which are scheduled to continue through early April.

Public Transport and Airport Alerts

• Geelong Line: V/Line passengers should be aware that coaches will replace evening trains between Waurn Ponds and Southern Cross Station starting from 8:00 pm tonight. Please allow an additional 40 minutes for your journey.
• Werribee and Frankston Lines: Temporary timetable changes remain in effect. Passengers are encouraged to check the PTV app for the most current departure times as minor delays are possible.
• Melbourne Airport: The Tullamarine Freeway continues to experience fast lane closures both city-bound (near APAC Drive) and airport-bound (near Mickleham Road). Travelers are advised to allow at least 15 minutes of buffer time for airport drop-offs.
• Southern Cross Station: Long-term escalator upgrade works continue, which may affect passenger flow during the morning rush.

Commuter Advice

With the Eastern Freeway lane split and the Bulleen Road exit closure, cross-city travelers should consider using the Monash Freeway or public transport where possible. If you are driving through the North East Link worksites, please stay alert for changed signage and workers on the road. For the latest real-time updates, monitor official transport channels before heading out.