A sinkhole has halted work on Melbourne’s massive $26.1 billion North East Link project. Engineers are investigating the cause while construction crews work to stabilise the site.
Sinkhole Disrupts North East Link Tunnelling
A tunnel boring machine moving towards Lower Plenty Road on Thursday night encountered a sinkhole, forcing immediate suspension of work. Authorities confirmed no injuries, but the incident raised concerns about project delays.
The sinkhole north east link site spans about one metre in diameter and plunges 18 metres deep. It appeared near an old army barracks, where tunnel boring machines are carving twin 6.5km tunnels between Watsonia and Bulleen.
Government Ensures Safety, Engineers Investigate
Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams confirmed the site remains safe. She mentioned,
“The site is safe.”
“WorkSafe were on the site last night, the engineers were on the site last night, and they’ll continue with an abundance of caution.”
One machine has paused, while the other is moving to a safe location. Crews are laying concrete rings to secure the unstable ground. Engineers will conduct a thorough review before tunnelling resumes.
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Project Faces Timeline and Budget Concerns
Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin criticised the government’s handling of the project, referencing cost overruns.
“The government need to explain to the community exactly the cost this is going to (have) on that project. Is it going to impact the timeline?” he said.
The North East Link has faced continuous budget increases. Initial estimates in 2016 put the cost at $10 billion. By 2017, this grew to $15.8 billion. In December 2023, the cost reached $26.1 billion. The Albanese government provided an extra $3.25 billion in the 2024 federal budget, bringing total federal contributions to $5 billion.
What is a Sinkhole?
A sinkhole forms when underground layers collapse due to water erosion. It is common in areas with limestone or gypsum, where water drains down instead of running off the surface.
The north east link sinkhole incident highlights the geological risks associated with large-scale infrastructure projects. Engineers will assess whether soil conditions contributed to the collapse.
Tunnelling Progress and Roadmap Ahead
The 4000-tonne boring machines, Zelda and Gillian, have been tunnelling since mid-2024. They operate 24/7, with teams of up to 20 workers per shift. Zelda has excavated 1.2km of the northbound tunnel, while Gillian has dug just over 1km of the southbound tunnel.
The North East Link is designed to:
- Connect the Eastern Freeway (Bulleen) to the Metropolitan Ring Road (Greensborough)
- Remove 15,000 trucks from suburban streets
- Reduce travel times by up to 30 minutes
What’s Next for the North East Link?
The sinkhole north east link crisis may delay completion. However, authorities remain optimistic. Engineers will finalise their assessment in the coming days, and construction crews are prepared for remediation work.
Despite setbacks, the government maintains the North East Link will open in 2028.
