City To Keep Moving While Melbourne Metro Rail Is Built
City To Keep Moving While Melbourne Metro Rail Is Built
Melbourne’s CBD will keep moving while Australia’s biggest public transport project is built underneath.
Six months ago, Swanston Street was announced as the preferred alignment for the metro tunnels and the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority began investigating a range of measures to reduce disruption in the CBD.
Following these investigations, which included further engineering and geotechnical work, the Authority has confirmed that CBD North and South Stations can be constructed entirely underground, rather than digging them out from the surface down.
Large holes will be excavated next to Swanston Street, the station boxes will be dug out from underneath, and the tunnels bored between the stations while the city keeps functioning above.
This will significantly minimise disruption and enable trams to keep running through the heart of the city on Swanston Street. It also means cross-streets such as Collins Street and La Trobe Street won’t be closed as often or as long.
CBD North Station will be connected to Melbourne Central Station via underground walkways to both the concourse and platforms of the station.
While this method of building the stations and tunnels under the city will reduce disruption, there will still be significant impacts to Melbourne’s CBD while Melbourne Metro is built.
Melbourne Metro Rail Authority will work closely and respectfully with everyone affected to minimise disruption, maintain access and keep the heart of the city open for business while this city-shaping project is constructed.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“The heart of Melbourne will keep moving while the heart of our transport system is transformed below it.”
“There will still be disruption to the CBD during construction – you can’t build a project of this scale without some impact – but trams will keep running and less businesses will be affected.”
“Melbourne Metro is a city-changing project that is vital for Melbourne’s future – we’re getting on with it.”