EastLink Tunnels Named
The outbound tunnel will be named Mullum Mullum, in recognition of the traditional Wurundjeri people, while the inbound tunnel will be known as the Melba, after Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, who grew up in Richmond.
Mr Pallas said the names were chosen out of more than 2000 entries received across Victoria.
The 1.6 kilometre tunnels, which run under the Hillcrest Reserve in Donvale, will open with the rest of the tolled Motorway later this year. Construction started in 2005.
According to reports, it took 12,500 hours to cut through 400,000 cubic metres of rock to build the tunnel. Approximately 50,000 cubic metres of concrete was used to line the tunnel walls.
ConnectEast managing director John Gardiner said EastLink operations would monitor the tunnels 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.