THE new Metro Tunnel project will make commuting easier for everyone but there’s a catch! Trinh Le has the details.
The Metro Tunnel consists of five new Melbourne CBD stations | Photo: Supplied
Major sections of the CBD’s streets and roads will be closed up to five years to make way for the construction of Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel praoject.
Construction will be undertaken at more than 250 locations across the city that includes a nine-kilometre tunnel with five new stations: Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South and Domain.
Early next year, Franklin St will be closed between Swanston St and Victoria St. Meanwhile, A’Beckett St will close between Swanston St and Stewart St.
A section of Domain Rd will also be closed in late April 2017 from St Kilda Rd to Edmund Herring Oval. In addition, St Kilda Rd will be cut to just one lane each way between Domain Rd and Toorak Rd. However, tram, pedestrian and bike access will continue as usual.
Built with the latest technology, the $10.9 billion Metro Tunnel will enable more trains to run in and out of the city, catering to Melbourne’s growth by giving the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines their own tunnel through the CBD.
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan emphasises that the project “will make a real difference to people’s lives”.
“There will be a huge impact on our city while we build the Metro Tunnel,” she said, “but the biggest impact will be once it’s finished, delivering more trains in and out of the city for passengers in suburbs and regions across Victoria.”
The Melbourne Metro tunnel is expected to open in 2026.
For a detailed list of construction works in your area, visit the Metro Tunnel’s website.