M80 Interchange Works Force Bundoora Commuters to Choose Eight Alternative Routes

The M80 Ring Road completion project will build a new Grimshaw Street Interchange through October and November 2026, bringing section closures on Grimshaw Street and bus replacements for Hurstbridge line trains in October.

Project Timeline and Local Impacts

Section closures on Grimshaw Street will affect travel near the interchange site, with bus replacements operating for Hurstbridge line trains during October. These changes coincide with ongoing service on Tram Route 86, which runs in the median of Plenty Road and links the CBD directly to RMIT and La Trobe University campuses at peak frequency every 5 to 10 minutes.

Public Transport Routes Serving the Area

Key bus routes include 566 from Greensborough to Lalor, 563/4 from La Trobe to Mill Park, 568 from Watsonia to Kingsbury, and 562 from Regent to Whittlesea, all serving Plenty Road and nearby stations. The closest train stations remain Watsonia and Macleod on the Hurstbridge line, while Route 570 bus connects Thomastown Station to RMIT’s west side and Route 86 tram stops near the main campus entrance. Thirty-six active public transport stops on trams and buses operate across these eight routes.

Current Commuter Patterns

Approximately 88 percent of Bundoora residents commute by car, with the 36 stops providing around 7,978 weekly passenger trips. This pattern places pressure on alternatives when Grimshaw Street sections close and Hurstbridge line replacements begin in October.

Key decisions ahead centre on how residents will adjust travel during the October and November 2026 works. Options include shifting to Tram Route 86 or the listed bus routes that continue to serve Plenty Road and the university campuses without interruption from the interchange construction.