Melbourne’s $15.8 billion North East Link will have green bridges, walking and cycling paths and tunnels stretching more than five kilometres, new detailed plans show.
The “missing road link” connects the Eastern Freeway in Bulleen to the M80 ring road at Greensborough, according to the design released on Sunday.
There will be 1.2 kilometres of lowered road and green bridges to minimise the visual impact on communities.
The new design includes tighter noise restrictions to 63 decibels, in what Labor described as the quietest motorway in the state along with the West Gate Tunnel.
“The tunnel section is now out to over five kilometres. There are a series of green bridges – parkland that partially covers the open section of the road. There’s 25 kilometres worth of bicycle paths and walking tracks,” Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters.
The new design includes lowered roads and green bridges. Photo: Victorian government The twin three-lane tunnels are 5.3 kilometres long, Victoria’s longest road tunnel, with vent stacks moved further from houses.
Community information sessions will be held over several weeks.
The government says it will put the North East Link out to market within 100 days if re-elected at the November state election.
Construction would start in 2020, ahead of its 2027 completion.
“This is about refining the corridor that we had already chosen some time ago, and it’s all about listening to the local community,” Mr Andrews said.
“This road is so important, we’ve got to get this done.”
It’s expected to cut commuter times by up to 30 minutes and take 15,000 trucks off local roads every day, the government said in May.
Between 110,000 and 130,000 cars are expected to use the road every day.
The toll cost has not yet been revealed, but the business case said it would be a similar rate to other toll roads.
It’s expected 140 businesses and 75 homes will be compulsorily acquired.
The opposition wants the dumped East West Link to be built before the North East Link. -with AAP
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