M4 Water Main Renewal Project
What's involved in the works?
Temporary repairs were completed during investigations last year. We’re now returning to permanently restore these areas by:
- Repairing potholes and other affected sections of road
- Removing temporary materials
- Laying hot asphalt
- Compacting the road surface using vibrating equipment.
See our map and impact table below for staging details.
What you need to know
- Works will take place during both day and night. Most works will be scheduled at night to reduce traffic impacts.
- Traffic management and detours will be in place.
- You may notice more workers, construction vehicles and heavy machinery in the area.
- There may be some temporary noise, light, dust and occasional vibration during works.
- We don’t expect any interruption to your water or sewer services.
What you need to do
- Follow all road and detour signage.
- Follow directions from traffic controllers when travelling through work areas.
Work updates
- All works are weather dependent.
- If works need to be rescheduled or extended, updates will be provided on this webpage.
- Main construction work will start later this year. We’ll continue to keep you informed as the M4 water main renewal project progresses.
For any enquiries email [email protected] or call 13 27 62.
Thank you for your patience and support as we complete these works.
Map of M4 road repair zones
Download map of M4 road repair zones (PDF, 725KB )
Map of Lygon Street detour
Download map of Lygon Street detour (PDF, 564KB)
Map of Bell Street Detour
Download map of Bell Street Detour (PDF, 736KB)
Project impact table
Road repairs will take place at specific locations within each zone, not along the entire road sections.
Works will move progressively through each zone. The dates shown cover the overall work period for each zone, with only short-term impact at each specific location.
Impacts | Date and time | Detours, changes and delays |
| No right turn from Bell Street onto Nicholson Street. | Night works (9 pm to 5 am),
| Detour: Delays of 5–10 minutes expected. |
| Minor traffic disruptions to Elizabeth Street. No impacts to driveways or parking. | Night works (9 pm to 5 am), Monday 20 July – Friday 24 July 2026. | Minor traffic disruptions expected. |
Impacts | Date and time | Detours, changes and delays |
| Minor traffic disruptions on a small section of Moreland Road. No impacts to traffic flow, driveways or parking. | Night works (9 pm to 5 am), Monday 27 July – Friday 31 July 2026. | Minor traffic disruptions expected. |
Impacts | Date and time | Detours, changes and delays |
| Minor traffic disruption to Nicholson Street. No impacts to traffic flow, driveways or parking. | Night works (9 pm to 5 am), Monday 27 July - Friday 31 July 2026. | Minor traffic disruptions. |
Impacts | Date and time | Detours, changes and delays |
| Lygon Street will be closed in both directions between Park Street and Brunswick Road. | Night works (9 pm to 5 am), Detour in place for one night during the works period. | Westbound detour: Eastbound detour: Delays of 5–10 minutes expected. |
| Minor traffic disruptions along Lygon Street between Brunswick Road and Albion Street. No impacts to driveways or parking. | Night works (9 pm to 5 am), Monday 3 August – Friday 14 August 2026. | Minor traffic disruptions expected. |
| Traffic changes at Lygon Street and Albion Street intersection. | Night works (9 pm to 5 am), Monday 3 August – Friday 14 August 2026. | Traffic changes. Delays up to 5 minutes expected |
Download full Project impact table (PDF, 852KB)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are these works happening?
Last year, we completed investigation works along the M4 alignment to help plan the upcoming M4 Water Main Renewal Project.
These works involve permanently restoring sections of road that were temporarily repaired following those investigations.
When will works be taking place?
Works will happen from late July to mid-August 2026, during both day and night depending on the location.
See the impact table for more information and staging in your area.
Why are some works happening at night?
Night works help reduce disruption to traffic on busy roads and allow crews to complete works more efficiently and safely.
What hours will you be working?
- Night works: typically 9 pm to 5 am
- Day works: typically 9 am to 5 pm
Times may vary depending on the work location.
See impact table for more information and staging in your area.
Will there be road closures or detours?
Yes. Some roads and intersections will be temporarily closed, and detours will be clearly signed.
Traffic controllers will also be on site to help direct traffic.
Each detour will be in place for one night during the works period.
See detour maps below for more information.
How will this affect travel times?
Some delays are expected, particularly where detours are in place. In most cases, delays of around 5–10 minutes may occur.
See impact table and detour maps below for more information.
Will I still be able to access my home or business?
Yes, access to driveways and parking will be maintained.
If there are any temporary changes, we’ll notify affected properties in advance.
Will there be noise or other disruptions?
You may notice temporary noise, lighting, dust and occasional vibration while works are underway-especially during night works.
Will my water or sewer services be affected?
No.
We don’t expect any interruptions to water or sewer services during these works.
Where can I get updates or more information?
We will update the project page on our website with any updates.
For any enquiries email [email protected] or call 13 27 62.
Why are you renewing this water main?
The M4 Water Main has been supplying water to Melbourne’s inner north for more than 100 years and is nearing the end of its service life.
Renewing approximately 4.9 kilometres of water main will improve network reliability, reduce the risk of service interruptions, help prevent the loss of precious drinking water and ensure a resilient water supply for the future.
Do you have any updates on when the M4 Water Main Renewal Project works will start?
The main construction works are currently planned for delivery in two distinct stages:
- Lygon Street and Holmes Street, Brunswick East: expected to start around mid-2027
- Nicholson Street and Elizabeth Street, Coburg: expected to start around mid-2028
Timing may change as planning progresses, and we’ll continue to provide updates as more details are confirmed.
Project updates
May - September 2025
July 2024
We've checked the condition of the existing M4 water main under the Bell Street bridge. To do this, a section of the Merri Creek Trail was closed overnight between Harding Street and De Chene Reserve, Coburg.
We had people at key locations to direct pedestrians and cyclists to an alternative route along Nicholson Street to cross Bell Street at the traffic lights.
This detour was planned for Thursday 18 July 2024 from 9 pm until 5 am on Friday 19 July 2024.
The map shows the detour off the Merri Creek Trail at Harding Street, back to Nicholson Street.
January 2024
See our list of investigations completed in early 2024 below:
- 1 Inner Circle Rail Trail and Park Street, near the McIlwraith Street intersection
- 2 Chambers Street, near Brunswick Road
- 3 Ewing Street, north of Brunswick Road
- 5 Blair Street, near the Glenlyon Road intersection
- 13 Barrow Street, north of Moreland Road
- 14 Barrow Street, near The Grove intersection
- 15 Barrow Street, near the Rennie Street intersection
- 16 Barrow Street, near the Harding Street intersection
- 17 Gladstone Street, north of Harding Street
- 18 Younger Street, near the Bell Street intersection
- 19 Elizabeth Street, north of the Bell Street intersection
- 20 Elizabeth Street, between Raymond and Hope streets
- 21 Elizabeth Street, south of Murray Road
- 22 Elizabeth Street, north of Murray Road.
Map of water main investigations
November 2023
See our list of investigations completed in late 2023 below:
- 4 Ewing Street, near the Cocoa Jackson Lane intersection
- 5 Garden Street & Glenlyon Road, near the intersection
- 6 Glenlyon Road & Blair Street, near the intersection
- 7 George Street, near the Albert Street intersection
- 8 Blyth Street, near the Nash Street intersection
- 9 Blyth Street, near the & Errol Avenue intersection
- 10 Barrow Street and Harding Street
- 11 Victoria Grove, near Albion Street intersection
- 12 Barrow Street, near Donald Street intersection
- 13 Barrow Street, south of the Moreland Road intersection
- 15 Barrow Street and The Avenue, near the intersection
- 16 Barrow Street and Hardwick Street.
M4 water main early investigations_November 2023