Eastern Freeway Shutdown and CBD Northbound Closures to Disrupt Friday Commute

Major Disruptions on Eastern Freeway

Melbourne commuters heading citybound this Friday evening should prepare for significant delays as a major section of the Eastern Freeway begins a full weekend closure. Starting at 10:00 PM on Friday, 6 February, all citybound lanes between Doncaster Road and Bulleen Road will be closed until early Monday morning. This closure is essential for asphalting new freeway lanes and establishing a new median worksite as part of the North East Link project.

• Impacted Ramps: Entry ramps at Springvale Road, Blackburn Road, Middleborough Road, Elgar Road, and Doncaster Road will be closed to citybound traffic starting Friday night.
• Expected Delays: Travel times may increase by up to 60 minutes during the transition into the closure. Digital signage will be active, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternative routes via Heidelberg Road or Whitehorse Road.
• Ongoing Closures: The Bulleen Road citybound exit ramp remains closed as part of separate, ongoing 24/7 construction works.

CBD and Inner-City Roadworks

In the heart of the city, several northbound routes are restricted due to critical infrastructure and utility works. Commuters navigating the northern edge of the CBD should plan for the following impacts today:

• Elizabeth Street: A full northbound road closure is in effect between Franklin Street and Therry Street for stormwater drainage renewal.
• Queen Street: The intersection at Franklin Street is closed northbound for telecommunications upgrades.
• Collins Street: Footpath closures near 367 Collins Street are scheduled between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM, which may impact pedestrian flow during the morning peak.

Overnight 'Superload' Transport

A massive transport operation is scheduled to take place overnight this Friday. Two tunnel boring machines are being moved from the Port of Hastings to Burwood. This "superload" movement will involve a large convoy and temporary rolling closures along the route from the southeast. Authorities advise avoiding the transport corridor late Friday night to prevent being caught behind the slow-moving convoy, which is expected to cause localized congestion on suburban arterials.

Public Transport and Rail Status

While most metropolitan rail lines are reporting a stable service for the Friday peak, there are minor planned disruptions across the network. Passengers on the Frankston, Werribee, and Alamein lines should check for slight timetable adjustments and platform changes. Following the successful opening of the Metro Tunnel late last year, commuters can now utilize the new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and Anzac to bypass traditional CBD congestion points and streamline their cross-city travel.