On 1 May 2003, the State called for expressions of interest for the delivery of a project to design, construct, finance, lease, operate, maintain, repair and handover the EastLink Freeway, including the provision of the Tolling System and Customer Services.

Construction of EastLink formerly known as the Mitcham Frankston Freeway, commenced in 2005 and opened to the public in June 2008. EastLink cost $2.5 billion to construct and is part of the Metropolitan Ring Road Project.

EastLink is privately operated by ConnectEast, which is under the control of Horizon Roads.

Commencing at Springvale Road, EastLink is predominately a three lane freeway ending at the Northern end of the Frankston Freeway. EastLink connects the Eastern, Monash and Frankston Freeways.

EastLink is Victoria’s second fully electronic tollway and comprises over 40 km’s of freeway, 17 interchanges and 88 bridges and bypasses more than 45 traffic lights. 

EastLink has two tunnels under the Mullum Mullum Valley. The tunnels are named Melba and Mullum Mullum. Each tunnel in 1.6 kms long with a height of 4.65m.