The Government of Victoria in Australia has launched expressions of interest (EOI) for the early works package on the North East Link project.

The 26km-long North East Link toll road project will connect to the Metropolitan Ring Road at Greensborough with the Eastern Freeway at Bulleen and is estimated to cost approximately A$16bn ($11.64bn).

Builders chosen for the project will have to widen the Eastern Freeway and construct a 6km tunnel.

The A$200m ($145.47m) early works package is expected to commence in 2020, following environmental and planning approvals.

“We said that we’d take this project to the election and let Victorians make up their mind, the people have spoken and North East Link starts today.”

Contractors for the A$7bn to A$9bn ($5bn to $6.54bn) primary works involving the construction of the tunnels are also being sought by the government. This procurement process will complete in more than 18 months.

During the construction phase, the North East Link project is expected to create 10,300 jobs and offer return of $1.30 to the Victorian economy for every dollar invested.

Victoria premier Daniel Andrews said: “We said that we’d take this project to the election and let Victorians make up their mind, the people have spoken and North East Link starts today.”

The link between the Eastern Freeway and the M80 Ring Road will take 15,000 trucks off local roads and slash travel times by up to 30 minutes, streamlining traffic and decreasing congestion.

The project is expected to take 32,000 vehicles per day off Greensborough Road, as well as 9,000, 8,000 and 14,000 off Rosanna Road, Manningham Road and Fitzsimons Lane respectively.

Contracts for the package will be signed by the end of next year.

North East Link is scheduled to open in 2027.