ACCIONA has installed 11 bridge beams at the Yando Street walking and cycling path underpass bridge in Watsonia in Melbourne’s northeast, marking a significant milestone in the M80 Ring Road Completion project and paving the way for future traffic changes scheduled for 2027.

A Two-Shift Lift Using a 750-Tonne Crane

The installation was completed across two shifts using a 750-tonne crane, with six beams placed during the first shift and five during the second. Each precast beam measures between 29 and 30 metres in length, stands 1.5 metres high, is 2.2 metres wide and weighs up to 56 tonnes.

Recognising the Team Effort

Brett Kavanagh, Construction Manager, acknowledged the collaborative effort behind the achievement.

"Seeing each beam safely lifted into place is a proud moment for our structures teams," Mr Kavanagh said.

"A lot of work happens behind the scenes to make these lifts possible, and this achievement belongs to every team involved.

Bringing our civil and structures teams together on this milestone has helped bridge more than just the physical gap and moves us closer to the next stage of the project."

Preparing for 2027 Traffic Changes

The beam installation is a critical step in preparing for major traffic changes during later phases of the project. Northbound traffic will be redirected onto the new bridge, while southbound traffic will move onto the completed Yando Street underpass bridge and the Southbound Exit to Grimshaw Street bridge.

These changes will create the space needed to complete the next stages of the M80 Ring Road Completion project, being delivered for the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority by ACCIONA and its consortium partners.

The milestone reflects the complexity of the works and the coordination required to deliver large-scale infrastructure that will improve connectivity and safety for road users and active transport in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.