A major milestone has been reached on the Albanese and Allan Labor Governments’ North East Link, with tunnel boring machine (TBM) Zelda breaking through in Bulleen.

This completes excavation on the first of the two three-lane tunnels: the northbound tunnel.

Zelda is one of two TBMs building Victoria’s largest road tunnel from Watsonia to Bulleen.

TBM Gillian is continuing excavation of the southbound tunnel and is expected to break through in the coming months.

The tunnels will provide a direct route for up to 15,000 trucks each day, reducing travel times by up to 35 minutes between Melbourne’s north and east.

More than 39,000 precast concrete segments manufactured in Benalla have been installed inside the tunnels.

Crews are now building the road inside the tunnels and installing electrical, lighting and safety systems.

Above ground works are continuing on key connections into the tunnels and the Greensborough Road boulevard.

North East Link is delivering three major road projects, including the new tunnels as well as upgrades on the M80 Ring Road and the Eastern Freeway.

To the north, construction is progressing on the M80 Ring Road Completion flyover bridge.

Traffic is expected to move onto the new Watsonia Road bridge in the coming months.

More than 12,000 jobs are being supported across the project.

North East Link is jointly funded by the Australian Government ($5 billion) and the Victorian Government ($21.21 billion) and will open to traffic in 2028.