(Lower Plenty, February 15, 2025) — Tunnelling work on the $26 billion North East Link project in Melbourne, Australia, has been halted after the discovery of a sinkhole near the project’s two boring machines.
A sinkhole has paused tunnelling on the major infrastructure project, adding to existing cost overruns.
- Tunnelling on the North East Link project has been suspended due to a sinkhole.
- The project’s cost has more than doubled since its initial announcement in 2016, reaching $26 billion.
- A local cricket club may need to relocate matches due to ground instability.
The sinkhole emerged in Lower Plenty, impacting the progress of the 10-kilometre toll road, according to The Age. The North East Link is intended to connect the Eastern Freeway in Bulleen with the Metropolitan Ring Road at Greensborough.
Project Cost Escalation
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The North East Link has experienced significant budget increases since it was first proposed by the Andrews government in 2016. The initial price tag was estimated at $10 billion, but the most recent estimate, as of December 2023, puts the cost at $26 billion – more than double the original projection, The Age reported.
Impact on Local Community
The ground instability caused by the sinkhole is also affecting local sporting clubs. Steve Andrews, a volunteer with Heidelberg West, said his club was alerted to the issue by individuals who believed the affected ground belonged to Heidelberg, according to the source. Andrews stated that the junior girls’ cricket team will likely need to find an alternate location for at least two of their remaining matches this season.
Project Goals
The North East Link is projected to remove 15,000 trucks from suburban streets and reduce travel times by as much as half an hour once completed. The toll road is currently scheduled to open in 2028.
“The North East Link will connect the Eastern Freeway to the Metropolitan Ring Road, taking pressure off local roads and slashing travel times,” according to project documentation.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by The Age and added independent analysis and context.
