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Bundoora Transport Shifts Ahead as M80 Ring Road Works Approach
The October to December 2026 M80 Ring Road completion will alter Plenty Road lanes and Grimshaw Street access while shifting Hurstbridge Line services to buses.
How we reported this
The M80 Ring Road completion project set for October through December 2026 will add new lanes along Plenty Road and trigger intermittent closures on Grimshaw Street, while replacing Hurstbridge Line trains with buses during the works.
Current Public Transport Network
Bundoora has no train station and depends on 23 tram stops, mainly along Route 86 on Plenty Road, plus 86 bus stops. Route 86 runs in the median of Plenty Road with platform stops that connect directly to the Bundoora campus and La Trobe University. Bus Route 566 runs from Bundoora at RMIT on Plenty Road to Greensborough Plaza in about 19 minutes. Commuters covering the 14 km distance to Melbourne CBD typically take 30 to 45 minutes by car or via Watsonia station, where morning peak trains run every 5 to 15 minutes.
Project Timeline and Local Effects
The M80 works will introduce new lanes to Plenty Road and create intermittent closures on Grimshaw Street. These changes coincide with temporary bus replacements on the Hurstbridge Line. Residents who rely on Watsonia station for CBD trips will face altered rail services, while Plenty Road users will encounter modified lane layouts and possible delays near the Route 86 stops.
Options During the Works Period
Commuters can continue using the existing 23 tram stops on Route 86 for city access or switch to Bus Route 566 for trips toward Greensborough Plaza. Those heading to La Trobe University or the Bundoora campus retain direct tram service along Plenty Road. Travel via Watsonia station will require checking bus substitution timetables once the Hurstbridge Line replacements begin.
Key Decisions for Residents
Local travellers need to monitor updates on Grimshaw Street closures and Plenty Road lane changes from October onward. Planning routes around the 23 tram stops or the 86 bus stops now can reduce disruption once the M80 project starts. Checking service notices for Bus Route 566 and Hurstbridge Line replacements will help maintain reliable travel times during the October to December 2026 period.