M80 Ring Road Works to Bring Lane Closures and Rail Replacements to Bundoora

The M80 Ring Road is undergoing major completion works through October-December 2026, including 24/7 construction on Grimshaw Street, lane closures, and buses replacing trains on sections of the Hurstbridge Line from late September to late October.

Why the works matter for Bundoora residents

Bundoora is a large suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, 15 km north-east of the CBD, with a population of 28,068 (2021 Census). High reliance on private vehicles makes any change to road capacity or rail services immediately relevant for daily travel. The works coincide with existing public transport options that already serve key destinations such as La Trobe University Bundoora.

Local transport connections already in place

Tram Route 86 runs in the median of Plenty Road through Bundoora with multiple platform stops, serving La Trobe University and connecting to inner suburbs, operating every 5-10 minutes during weekday peak and 10-20 minutes off-peak/weekends. La Trobe University Bundoora is primarily accessed by train via Macleod or Watsonia stations (peak services every 5-15 minutes from CBD), with tram Route 86 and buses (Routes 563/4, 568, 562) also serving the campus. These routes remain available while road and rail works proceed.

Commuting patterns recorded in 2021

As of 2021, 88% of residents in Bundoora North commute by car, with an average of 1.5 vehicles per dwelling, despite good public transport accessibility rated at 254 meters to the nearest stop. The combination of road works and temporary rail replacements is expected to affect those patterns in the coming months.

Practical steps while works continue

Commuters can monitor updates on the M80 Ring Road completion through official project notices and check real-time information for Tram Route 86 and bus routes 563/4, 568 and 562. Alternative access via Macleod or Watsonia stations on the Hurstbridge Line continues outside the periods when replacement buses operate.