Works are ramping up along the Hurstbridge Line as part of more than $18 billion worth of major road and rail projects across Melbourne’s north and north-east.

As part of the Hurstbridge Line Duplication, the Level Crossing Removal Project is duplicating two kilometres of track between Greensborough and Montmorency, and 1.5 kilometres of track between Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen. Two new stations with modern facilities will also be built at Greensborough and Montmorency.

Over the past weekend, crews got on with drainage, retaining wall construction, Plenty River Bridge works, piling, rail signalling and earthworks.

In exciting news for commuters in Greensborough, a new 100-space car park and bus interchange will be opened at Greensborough Station as part of project, which will give people in this growing area more options to park and catch the train and connect with other essential services.

This work follows the successful completion of Stage 1 of the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade, where 1.2 kilometres of track was duplicated between Heidelberg and Rossana to allow more trains to run, more often, and the removal of level crossings in Alphington and Rosanna.

The Hurstbridge Line Duplication is part of the massive Big Build works underway across the city’s north and north-east to reduce congestion, cut travel times and provide more trains more often — making getting to work, school and health services quicker and easier. The rescoped Hurstbridge line project will have trains running on the duplicated tracks in mid-2023.

Next year will also see the completion of almost three MCGs of new community open space, landscaping and planting on the four level crossing removals currently underway on the nearby Mernda line at Preston.  Four sets of boom gates will go later this year, with new stations to open at Preston and Bell.

Preparations are also continuing to construct the North East Link’s road tunnels that will slash travel times by up to 35 minutes, take trucks off local roads, and deliver a new tree-lined boulevard for Greensborough Road.

Crews are working to move a 1.8-kilometre section of the Yarra East Main Sewer, build a new Bulleen Park & Ride with parking for 370 cars, and move services in Watsonia and Greensborough and to get ready for the road tunnels. While work continues, there will be disruptions at times along Bulleen Road and Thompsons Road.

Road users in Melbourne’s north-east will enjoy safer and more reliable journeys significantly earlier than expected, with all lanes on the M80 Ring Road Upgrade between Sydney Road and Edgars Road.

The M80 Ring Road is a vital connection to Melbourne’s north that is relied on by more than 165,000 motorists, including 22,000 truck drivers, every day, and this upgrade also ensures they will enjoy better access to other freeways, interstate links, local and arterial roads, and the future North East Link.

Suburban roads are also being boosted with the Fitzsimons Lane upgrade in Eltham powering ahead. New traffic lights at the Main Road intersection are now in operation easing congestion for more than 60,000 motorists through this busy corridor each day.