Metro Tunnel

Metro Tunnel
Logo used for the project: the words METRO TUNNEL emerging from a stylised tunnel portal.
Map of the Metro Tunnel in blue and existing railway lines in grey.
Overview
Other name(s)Melbourne Metro Rail
StatusUnder construction
LocaleMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Termini
Stations5
WebsiteOfficial website
Service
TypeRapid transit
Suburban rail
SystemMelbourne rail network
Services
Rolling stockHigh Capacity Metro Trains
History
Commenced2018
Planned opening2025 (scheduled)
Technical
Line length9 km (5.6 mi)
Number of tracks2
CharacterUnderground
Track gauge1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Victorian broad gauge
Electrification1,500 V DC from overhead rail
SignallingBombardier CITYFLO 650 CBTC[1]
Route map

Legend
km
Sunbury/Werribee/Williamstown/Airport lines
Up arrow Footscray
0.00
South Kensington
Werribee/Williamstown lines
Down arrow North Melbourne
Moonee Ponds Creek
 Arden
Parkville
State Library
(Melbourne Central)
City Loop
Left arrow Flagstaff – Parliament Right arrow
 Town Hall
(Flinders Street)
City Loop & other lines
Left arrow Southern Cross – Parliament/Jolimont/Richmond Right arrow
Yarra River
 Anzac
Frankston line
Up arrow South Yarra
9.00
Cranbourne/Frankston/Pakenham lines
Down arrow Hawksburn
This diagram:

The Metro Tunnel, formerly known as Melbourne Metro Rail (MMR), is an underground heavy rail project currently under construction in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It involves the construction of twin 9-kilometre (5.6 mi) rail tunnels between South Kensington (north west of the Melbourne central business district) and South Yarra (in the south east) with five new underground stations. The tunnel will connect the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines with the Sunbury line, creating a new high-frequency cross-city line that bypasses Flinders Street station and the City Loop. The line is also planned to serve Melbourne Airport via a new branch line west of Sunshine.[2]

The project will enable the operational separation of various existing lines on Melbourne's rail network and increase the capacity of the system to allow metro-style frequencies. The Metro Tunnel project includes the installation of high-capacity signalling and platform screen doors. With the delivery of other associated projects including accessibility upgrades, the introduction of High Capacity Metro Trains, and the removal of all level crossings across the Pakenham, Cranbourne and Sunbury lines, it will allow the corridor to run to rapid transit standards.[3]

The state government began planning the project in 2015. Initial construction works commenced in early 2017. Sections of the Melbourne central business district, including City Square and parts of Swanston Street, were closed to enable construction of the tunnel and stations. Tunnelling began in 2019 and was completed in 2021. The project was originally expected to be completed in 2026, but has now been brought forward to 2025.[4][5] The project is being delivered by the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority, at an estimated cost of $12.8 billion.[6]

  1. ^ Barrow, Keith (19 April 2018). "Bombardier to maintain Melbourne Metro Tunnel signalling". International Railway Journal. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Station plans released for Melbourne Airport Rail". ArchitectureAU. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Metro Tunnel Project Business Case". Victoria’s Big Build. 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  4. ^ Chalkley-Rhoden, Stephanie (23 July 2017). "Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel project to create 7,000 jobs: Premier". ABC News. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  5. ^ Jacks, Timna (20 February 2018). "Melbourne Metro a year ahead of schedule, Premier says". The Age. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :11 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).