Statistics:

• Length: 62 km (Nunawading to Wantirna: 9 km)
• Western Terminus: Alexandra Pde (Eastern Hwy) (MR83) and Gold St, Collingwood
• Southern Terminus: Moorooduc Hwy (C777) and Cranbourne Rd (MR4 / TD12) at Frankston
• Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along The Route: Collingwood, Alphington, Kew, Balwyn North, Doncaster, Box Hill, Blackburn North, Nunawading, Doncaster, Donvale, Mitcham, Ringwood, Wantirna, Wantirna South, Glen Waverley, Noble Park, Dandenong, Bangholme, Carrum Downs, Seaford and Frankston

Route Numbering:

• Current: M3
• Road Authority Internal Classification: 1830 (Eastern Fwy) 1 & 1996 (Eastlink)

General Information:

M3 is a motorway standard route in Melbourne's eastern and south eastern suburbs, linking the Melbourne CBD with the Mornington Peninsula. The Eastern Freeway is untolled, however the Eastlink section of M3, from Nunawading to Seaford uses an electronic distance based tolling system.

Eastlink:

Eastlink is made up of the Eastern Freeway Extension, Ringwood Bypass and Scoresby Freeway. 1

The Eastlink section of the route features 17 interchanges and also twin tunnels at Donvale / Ringwood, under the Mullum Mullum valley - the Melba Tunnel and the Mullum Mullum Tunnel. Each tunnel is 1.6km long, contain three lanes that are 3.5m wide with a height clearance for vehicles of 4.65m. The tunnels have a gradient of up to 5.5% and are located up to 53m from surface level. 2

The route also features 3 traffic lanes in each direction for 33km from the Eastern Freeway to Thompson Road at Carrum Downs, and also has 103 structures, including 88 bridges. 3

History:

• May 4, 1999: Funding allocated for the Eastern Freeway extension from Springvale Road to Ringwood. 4
• February 2000: Construction commences on Mitcham Road (MR36) bridge at Donvale. 5
• 22 February 2001: Mitcham Road (MR36) bridge opens to traffic. 5
• 26 March 2002: Official opening of the Park Road bridge in Donvale. 6
• 23 September 2002: The Bracks Government announced that it would amalgamate the Scoresby Freeway project with the Eastern Freeway Tunnels project. The combined project, was to be known as the Mitcham-Frankston Freeway. 7
• October 2004; The tender for construction of the project was awarded to ConnectEast. 1
• November 2004: Construction commences on Eastlink. 1
• 29 June 2008: Eastlink opens to traffic. 1

Preview:	Description:
	Mitcham Road at the Eastlink Overpass: Mitcham Road (MR36) looking southeast at the overpass over Eastlink in Donvale, August 2004. Image © Viseth Uch
	Eastlink Under Construction at Donvale: Looking west from the Mitcham Rd overpass, towards the Springvale Rd (MR40) interchange at Donvale, August 2004. Image © Viseth Uch
	Eastlink Under Construction at Donvale: Looking west from the Mitcham Rd overpass, towards the Springvale Rd (MR40) interchange at Donvale, August 2004. Image © Viseth Uch
	Footpath and Cycleway: Footpath and cycleway at an unfinished section of noise barrier near the Mitcham Rd overpass at Donvale, August 2004. Image © Viseth Uch
	Construction Project Sign: Project sign on the northern side of Eastlink at the Mitcham Rd overpass in Donvale, August 2004. Image © Viseth Uch
	Looking Towards Park Road: Eastlink under construction, looking east towards Park Road, August 2004. Image © Viseth Uch
	Looking Towards Park Road: Eastlink under construction, looking east towards Park Road, August 2004. Image © Viseth Uch
	Looking North at Donvale: Looking north from Mitcham Road at Donvale, March 2006. Image © Viseth Uch
	Melba & Mullum Mullum tunnels: Looking east from Mitcham Road at Donvale, March 2006. Image © Viseth Uch
	Melba & Mullum Mullum tunnels: Looking east from Mitcham Road at Donvale, March 2006. Image © Viseth Uch
	Mitcham Road Overpass: Looking south along the Mitcham Road overpass over Eastlink in Donvale, March 2006. Image © Viseth Uch
	Eastlink Under Construction at Donvale: Looking west from the Mitcham Rd overpass, towards the Springvale Rd (MR40) interchange at Donvale,, January 2007. Image © Viseth Uch
Click here for construction photos at Ringwood / Mitcham

1 Maroondah City Council, Developing Maroondah, EastLink
2 Eastlink, Motorway Info
3 Linking Melbourne Authority: Projects, Eastlink, Facts & Figures
4 Office of the Minister for Roads and Ports, Media Release, $255 Million to Extend Eastern Freeway to Ringwood, $175 Million for new Hallam Bypass, 4 May 1999
6 Minister of Transport, Media Release, First Eastern Freeway Milestone is Reached, 22 February 2001
7 Minister of Transport, Media Release, Park Road Bridge Over Eastern Freeway Extension Opened to Traffic, 26 March 2002
8 Minister of Transport, Media Release, Bracks Government Announces Mitcham-Frankston Freeway Project, 23 September 2002

Last updated: 14-Feb-2019 20:57

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