Melbourne’s £6.5 Billion Metro Tunnel Set to Transform Transport

A groundbreaking £6.5 billion railway project in Melbourne, Australia, is poised to revolutionize the city’s transport network. Scheduled to open at the end of 2025, the project features five new stations and a 9-kilometre twin rail tunnel, connecting nearly 100 kilometres of track. This significant enhancement to Melbourne’s infrastructure marks the largest overhaul since the City Loop was introduced in the 1980s.

Construction began in 2015, and the ambitious project has been a long time coming. Initially proposed in 2008 as a 17-kilometre rail link from Footscray to Caulfield, the project underwent multiple revisions before tunnelling commenced in 2019. The budget for the Metro Tunnel escalated from an original A$11 billion (£5.31 billion) to nearly A$14 billion (£6.51 billion) due to additional costs, prompting public scrutiny and debate. Despite these challenges, the project is now running ahead of schedule, set for completion a full year earlier than anticipated.

The Metro Tunnel will integrate three existing rail lines, creating a seamless 97-kilometre train line. The Sunbury line in the west will connect to the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines in the south-east, alleviating congestion on the City Loop. With the capacity to transport approximately 1,400 passengers across seven carriages, the new trains will feature high-capacity signalling technology, enabling them to run closer together at speeds reaching 80 km/h.

Ben Ryan, the executive project director for the Metro Tunnel, expressed optimism about the project’s impact, stating that it would be a “real gamechanger” for Melbourne. He emphasized the design’s thoughtful elements, including tracks laser cut with animal footprints, honoring the five clans of the Kulin nation of central Victoria.

The stations are set to be named Anzac, Parkville, Arden, Town Hall, and State Liberty, with the latter positioned 37 metres below ground. The public transport timetable will be entirely revised for the launch, allowing passengers to ‘turn up and go’ without needing to consult schedules. This streamlined service aims to enhance the overall commuting experience in the city.

The acting transport infrastructure minister, Sonya Kilkenny, remarked on the political challenges faced during the project’s development, noting the opposition’s criticisms. “The Liberals called the Metro Tunnel a ‘hoax’ and the Liberals in Canberra ripped billions out of this city-shaping project – but we are getting on delivering it and it will open this year, one year ahead of schedule,” she stated.

As Melbourne prepares for the completion of this transformative project, it stands as a testament to the resilience and dedication of those involved in its realization. With the Metro Tunnel set to serve as a vital artery for the city, it promises to enhance connectivity and support Melbourne’s growing population.