Melbourne's $15.8 billion North East Link will have twin three-lane tunnels stretching more than five kilometres, and 1.2km of lowered roads, according to new detailed plans.
The reference design for the toll road was released on Sunday and community information sessions will be held over several weeks on the "missing link" to connect the Eastern Freeway in Bulleen to the M80 ring road in Greensborough.
"The tunnel section is now out to over five kilometres, there are a series of green bridges - parkland that partially covers the open section of the road, there's 25 kilometres worth of bicycle paths and walking tracks," Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters.
Vent stacks have also been moved further from houses, a stronger noise standard of 63 decibels will be imposed and about 15,000 trucks will be taken off the road.
The Andrews government says if it is re-elected at the November state election, within its first 100 days it will put the North East Link out to market for construction to start in 2020 and completion by 2027.
"This is about refining the corridor that we had already chosen some time ago, and it's all about listening to the local community," Mr Andrews said.
"This road is so important, we've got to get this done."
Australian Associated Press
