The Victorian Government continues its commitment to the North East Link (NEL) Project, which aims to complete the vital link in Melbourne’s cross-city orbital road network between the M80 Ring Road and the Eastern Freeway.
Initially designated as a high-priority infrastructure project by Infrastructure Victoria in its 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy released in 2016, the project has made significant progress since its announcement. The North East Link tunnels are being built, financed, operated, and maintained by the Spark Consortium, awarded the North East Link Primary Package PPP. This consortium includes Webuild, CPB Contractors, GS Engineering and Construction, China Construction Oceania, Ventia, Capella Capital, John Laing Investments, Pacific Partnerships, and DIF.
With a budget of $11.1 billion, the North East Link Primary Package PPP stands as the largest transport project in Victorian history and the largest PPP in Australian history. It features 6.5 km of three-lane twin tunnels designed to close the critical gap in Melbourne’s freeway network.
With tunnelling having commenced in August 2024, DCWC continues to provide technical advisory support to the Spark Consortium, offering lenders an objective assessment of technical risks associated with design, construction methodology, staging, commissioning, handover, and ongoing operations and maintenance for a specified period.
The North East Link is projected to remove 15,000 trucks from local roads daily, restoring local roads to communities and alleviating congestion for up to 135,000 vehicles each day. Travel times between Melbourne’s north and southeast will be reduced by as much as 35 minutes.
This monumental $11.1 billion project is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments and is on track to enhance Melbourne’s transport infrastructure significantly. As updates continue to emerge, the project remains a pivotal investment in the future of Melbourne’s connectivity and efficiency.
.svg)