Road Photos & Information: Victoria: Hume Freeway (M31)

Road Photos & Information: Victoria

M31

Hume Freeway (M31) - Wallan To Thomastown

Statistics:

Length: 303 km (Wallan To Thomastown: 53 km)
Northern Terminus: NSW-Vic Border at Wodonga
Southern Terminus: Interchange with Metropolitan Ring Road at Thomastown
Miscellaneous: Continues as Hume Highway (M31) in NSW
Suburbs, Towns & Localities along route: Wallan, Wallan East, Beveridge, Kalkallo, Craigieburn, Epping and Thomastown.

Route Numbering:

Current: M31

Former:
Road Authority Internal Number: 1550

General Information:

The Hume Freeway is one of Australia's most vital highway links. Providing access between Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's 2 largest cities. Formerly known as the Hume Highway, the route is 100% dual carriageway road, either rural expressway or motorway standard.

The route started life as Sydney Road, cutting through Melbourne's northern suburbs. The highway was named in 1928 after Hamilton Hume (1797-1873), a famous explorer in the early 19th century who, in 1824, in conjunction with William Hovell first found an overland route between Sydney and the infant colonial outpost of Port Phillip, the original name of Melbourne.

M31 is the main freight and commuter route between Sydney and Melbourne and has gone through a massive amount of transformation over the past 30 or so years, with many towns being bypassed along its route as well and gradual upgrades to motorway standards. Since the 1960s, the road has either been duplicated, where alignments allow for it, and also large deviations have also been part of the upgrade process. Around 66,000 vehicles use the Hume Freeway north of Melbourne every day. 1

The Hume Freeway's highest elevation along its length is 368m and the lowest point is at 90.8m

History:

1914: Sydney Road declared a main road. 3
1928: Sydney Road renamed the Hume Highway - still a narrow two lane road. 3
1954: Hume Highway given Australia's first National Route number, NR31, as a trial of numbering systems.
1960's: Fawkner to Somerton duplication 4
1961: The first 4 lane modern freeway standard section was completed in Victoria at Craigieburn.
1969: Hume Freeway bypass from Wallan to Broadford started. Click here for a photo from the construction. 3
1974: Hume Highway route number changed to National Highway 31, indicating it's importance and also funding by the Federal Government.
1976: Hume Freeway - a modern 4 lane highway opened by the Premier of Victoria Rupert J Hamer. 3
1980: Violet Town bypassed 4
1982: Seymour bypassed 4
1984: Longwood duplication & bypass construction 4
1985: Wodonga bypassed 4
1987: Benalla bypassed 4
1988: Glenrowan and Chiltern bypassed 4
1992: Euroa bypassed 4
1994: Springhurst bypassed 4
1997: NH31 number replaced with NH-M31 as part of the rollout of alphanumeric numbering. NH31 remained in the metropolitan area until the opening of Craigieburn Bypass. 4
December 2004: The first section of the Craigieburn Bypass was opened to traffic between the Metropolitan Ring Road and Cooper Street. 1
20 December 2005: The remaining section of the 17km Craigieburn Bypass, linking the Hume Freeway near Mt. Ridley Road at Craigieburn, to the Metropolitan Ring Road at Thomastown, opened to traffic 2
2006: Old NH31 designation in suburban Melbourne replaced with MR55.
6 March 2007: 17.4km upgrade of the Hume Freeway through Albury-Wodonga opened to traffic. 2

Click here for the former NH31 alignment through Melbourne and its northern suburbs.
Click here for the former alignments between Craigieburn and Wallan

Thomastown to Wallan		Wallan to Thomastown
Preview:	Description:	Preview:	Description:
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign as you approach the M80 interchange with the M31 at Thomastown, 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Wallan approaching the service centre, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Hume Fwy Interchange: Metropolitan Ring Road & Western Ring Road meets the Hume Freeway at Thomastown. 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Wallan approaching the service centre, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Looking Northbound at Lalor: Looking at the M31 from the footbridge at the Whittlesea Public Gardens, Lalor, 2006. Image © Nick Jennion		Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Wallan approaching Wallan-Whittlesea Rd (C727), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Metropolitan Route 58 Exit AD Sign: Northbound as you approach the Cooper Street exit advance directional sign, Epping 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Wallan approaching Wallan-Whittlesea Rd (C727), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Metropolitan Route 58 Exit AD Sign: Northbound as you approach the Cooper Street exit advance directional sign, Epping 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Wallan-Whittlesea Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Wallan-Whittlesea Rd (C727) interchange, Wallan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Metropolitan Route 58 Exit: Northbound at the Cooper Street exit, Epping 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Wallan-Whittlesea Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Wallan-Whittlesea Rd (C727) interchange, Wallan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Cooper Street Interchange: Semi sign goof on the signage for the northbound on ramp to the Hume Freeway at Epping. The sign is lacking the usual National Highway shield around the route number. August 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Wallan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign as you head west on Cooper Street at Epping, 2006. Image © Nick Jennion		Macsfield Road: Hume Fwy (M31) as it passes under Macsfield Rd, Wallan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Curly Sedge Creek Overpass: The Hume Freeway as it passes over Curly Sedge Creek at Wollert via a rather large overpass, which will allow for the expansion of Brick Makers Road. 2006. Image © Nick Jennion		Northern Highway: Hume Fwy (M31) as it passes under Northern Hwy (B75) at Wallan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Curly Sedge Creek Overpass: Looking outbound as the Hume Freeway passes over Curly Sedge Creek at Wollert via a rather large overpass, which will allow for the expansion of Brick Makers Road. 2006. Image © Nick Jennion		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Beveridge approaching Old Hume Hwy, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Northbound AD Sign: Overhead advance directional sign for the Craigieburn Road East interchange as you travel through Wollert. Image © Rob Tilley		Mount Fraser: Hume Fwy (M31) as it climbs Mt Fraser at Beveridge, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	AD Sign: Advance exit sign as you travel to Melbourne towards the C722 interchange at Wollert, 2006. Click here for a photo by Nick Jennion of this location, also from 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Beveridge approaching Old Hume Hwy, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Craigieburn Road East Exit: Hume Freeway at Wollert as you head outbound, 2006. Image © Nick Jennion		Old Hume Highway: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Old Hume Hwy interchange, Beveridge, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Craigieburn Road East Exit Signage: Gantry on the Hume Freeway at Wollert as you head outbound, 2006. Image © Nick Jennion		Distance Sign: Southbound RD sign as you head along the Hume Freeway at Beverage after the interchange for Beveridge Road, 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Sydney Road Interchange: Hume Freeway at Craigieburn, with MR55 (Old NH-31) Sydney Road in the foreground. The first overpass is the Sydney Road offramp for southbound traffic and the overpass in the background is Amaroo Road interchange. Image © Nick Jennion		Camerons Lane: Hume Fwy (M31) passing over Camerons Ln, Beveridge, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Northbound AD Sign: Overhead advance directional sign for the Amaroo Road interchange at Craigieburn. Image © Rob Tilley		Advance Directional Sign: Service centre AD sign at Beveridge, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Northbound at Craigieburn: Heading north on the Hume Freeway (Craigieburn By-Pass) as you approach the underpass of the Melbourne to Sydney railway line. 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Service Centre: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Kalkallo service centre, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Amaroo Road Interchange: Northbound at the Amaroo Road exit at Craigieburn, 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Advance Directional Sign: Southbound approaching Donnybrook Road (C723) at Kalkallo. August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Craigieburn approaching the service centre, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands		Truck Route Sign: Truck route sign at Kalkallo, near Donnybrook Rd (C723), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: Northbound approaching the interchange with Donnybrook Road (C723) at Craigieburn. August 2015 Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: Southbound approaching Donnybrook Road (C723) at Kalkallo. August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Craigieburn approaching the service centre, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands		Donnybrook Road: Donnybrook Road (C723) at Kalkallo, August 2015. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: Northbound approaching the interchange with Donnybrook Road (C723) at Craigieburn. August 2015 Image © Paul Rands		Distance Sign: Southbound RD sign as you head along the Hume Freeway at Craigieburn after the intersection with C723 / Donnybrook Road, August 2015. Click here for a photo by Rob Tilley of this location from 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	Service Centre: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Craigieburn service centre, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands		Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Craigieburn, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Northbound at Craigieburn: Looking north at the Donnybrook Road intersection (C723) interchange, Craigieburn, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Signage: Southbound at Craigieburn, 1 km south of the connection with the old Hume Highway alignment. 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Distance Sign: Northbound RD sign on the Hume Freeway at Kalkallo after the interchange for C723 / Donnybrook Road (Road Authority Internal Number 5055), August 2015. Click here for a photo by Rob Tilley of this location from 2006. Image © Paul Rands		Approaching Sydney Road: Southbound as you approach the Metropolitan Route 55 (former NH31) exit, August 2015. Click here for a photo by Rob Tilley of this location from 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Kalkallo, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands		Craigieburn Interchange: Southbound through the Sydney Rd (MR55) interchange at Craigieburn. 2006 Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Signage: Advance exit sign as you head north towards the Lithgow St interchange, Beveridge. 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on the off ramp to Sydney Rd (MR55) at Craigieburn, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Signage: Advance exit sign as you head north towards the Lithgow St interchange, Beveridge. August 2015. Click here for a photo by Rob Tilley of this location from 2006. Image © Paul Rands		Welcome To Melbourne: Tourism welcome sign at Craigieburn, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Lithgow Street Interchange: Northbound at Beveridge, 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Sydney Road: Hume Fwy (M31) as it passes under Sydney Rd (Hume Hwy) (MR55) at Craigieburn, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: Northbound RD sign as you head along the Hume Freeway at Beverage after the interchange for Beveridge Road, 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Sydney-Melbourne Railway: Hume Fwy (M31) as it passes under the Sydney-Melbourne Railway at Craigieburn, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Wallan approaching Northern Hwy (B75), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands		Craigieburn Road East: Hume Fwy (M31) as it passes under Craigieburn Rd East (C722) at Wollert, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Wallan approaching Northern Hwy (B75), August 2015. Click here for a photo by Rob Tilley of this location from 2006. Image © Paul Rands		Inbound at Wollert: Looking towards Melbourne from the C722 (Road Authority Internal Number 5106) interchange at Wollert, 2006. Image © Nick Jennion
	B75 (Northern Hwy) Advance Exit Sign: Heading northbound as you pass through Wallan, 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Curly Sedge Creek Overpass: Looking inbound as the Hume Freeway passes over Curly Sedge Creek at Wollert via a rather large overpass, which will allow for the expansion of Brick Makers Road. 2006. Image © Nick Jennion
	B75 Interchange: Northbound at Wallan, 2006. B75 is the Northern Highway (Road Authority Internal Number 6540). Image © Rob Tilley		Metropolitan Route 58 Exit AD Sign: With Melbourne as a backdrop, here is an AD sign for the Cooper Street (Road Authority Internal Number 5606) exit as you pass under the O'Herns Road overpass, Epping 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Distance Sign: Northbound RD sign as you head along the Hume Freeway at Wallan after the B75 interchange, 2006. Image © Rob Tilley		Metropolitan Route 58 Exit AD Sign: Looking towards Melbourne as you pass under the Cooper Street exit advance directional sign, Epping, August 2015. Click here for a photo by Rob Tilley of this location from 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	Northern Highway: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Northern Hwy (B75) interchange, Wallan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands		Metropolitan Route 58 Exit: Southbound at the Cooper Street exit, Epping, August 2015. Click here for a photo by Rob Tilley of this location from 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Wallan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands		Cooper Street: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Cooper St (MR58) interchange, Epping, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign with distances to rest areas at Wallan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands		Variable Message Sign: VMS at Thomastown, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Wallan approaching the service centre, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands		Approaching M80 Interchange: Southbound as you approach the end of M31 at Thomastown, 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Macsfield Road: Hume Fwy (M31) as it passes under Macsfield Rd at Wallan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands		Lane Allocation Signage: Ramps for the Metropolitan Ring Road & Western Ring Road at Thomastown. Image © Rob Tilley
	Wallan-Whittlesea Road: Hume Fwy (M31) as it passes under Wallan-Whittlesea Rd at Wallan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands		End M31: The end of the Hume Freeway, southbound at Thomastown, 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Wallan approaching the service centre, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Wallan approaching the service centre, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Wallan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Service Centre: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Wallan service centre, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
Click here for the continuation of M31 between Wallan and Broadford

1 Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
2 Vicroads
3 Wandong-Heathcote Junction Community Group
4 Viseth Uch

Last updated: 14-Feb-2019 21:30

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