Melbourne’s Metro Tunnels Near Completion

These twin nine-kilometre tunnels are almost near completion, with 3,799m of the final tunnel already finished. Major construction now turns to the Metro Tunnels five new underground stations.

Just last weekend, tunnel boring machine (TBM) Alice, was the second last TBM to break through at Town Hall station after its journey under the Yarra River. This leaves TBM Meg to complete the Metro Tunnels from Kensington to South Yarra, with only a 9km leg to go. 

With the Metro Tunnels nearing completion, we look to the construction and progress of the Stations. The first concrete pours to build Arden Station’s platforms has already taken place. The station’s internal walls are also in place, construction on the roof slab is near completion and installation of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing services has started. Earlier this year, workers installed 38 piles deep into the ground surrounding the station’s eastern end to reinforce the entrance building’s foundations.

Arden Station will be the centrepiece of a massive new precinct that will be the home of Victoria’s innovation economy, which is expected to include up to 34,000 jobs and be home to around 15,000 residents by 2050. With a direct link to the Melbourne Airport in 2029, walking distance to North Melbourne Recreation Centre, Arden Street Oval and the route 57 tram, this station will become a busy transport hub. 

Arden Station Features:

•  15 soaring brick arches, built off-site with more than 100,000 bricks 
•  Landscaped public space full of native species
•  Sustainability minded with tree pits, garden beds and lawn areas 
• Direct link to the Melbourne Airport 
• Cafe terraces with outdoor dining 
• 120 bike parking spaces

Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said: “The Metro Tunnel will not just deliver more trains, more often – but a new precinct that will have a direct link to the airport, attract thousands of jobs and provide another place for Victorians to live.”   

“As tunnelling is about to wrap up – the team has a massive task ahead of them to finish the stations, lay the track and get the tunnel ready to deliver more trains, more often.”

The Metro Tunnel Project is on track to be completed by 2025. It will create capacity for more than half a million extra passengers a week during peak times across Melbourne’s train network.