Lower Heidelberg Road and Rosanna Road were signed as Metropolitan Route 44 between Ivanhoe and Yallambie in 1965; Greensborough Road was also signed as Metropolitan Route 46 in 1965, originally turning east along Grimshaw Street to run through Greensborough and along Diamond Creek Road east beyond it.
In 1965, Lower Heidelberg Road and Rosanna Road were classified as Metropolitan Route 44 between Ivanhoe and Yallambie; likewise, Greensborough Road was designated as Metropolitan Route 46 in the same year. Initially, it followed a route east along Grimshaw Street to pass through Greensborough before continuing on Diamond Creek Road.