Melbourne Metro rail project - Wikipedia Melbourne Metro rail project This article is about the planned rail tunnel. For the suburban train operator, see Metro Trains Melbourne. Melbourne Metro Rail Project Melbourne Metro Rail Authority logo Overview Locale Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Transit type Commuter rail Number of lines Number of stations 5 Website metrotunnel.vic.gov.au Operation Operation will start 2026 Character Underground Technical System length 9 km ( 5.6 mi ) No. of tracks System map Legend Towards Footscray ( Services continue to Sunbury ) South Kensington Towards West Melbourne ( renamed from North Melbourne ) North Melbourne Parkville State Library City Loop Melbourne Central Town Hall City Loop Flinders Street Yarra River Anzac Towards South Yarra Towards Hawksburn ( Services continue to Pakenham or Cranbourne ) The Melbourne Metro Rail Project ( marketed as the Metro Tunnel and formally known as the Metro Rail Capacity Project ) is a metropolitan rail infrastructure project currently under construction in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It includes the construction of a twin rail tunnel between South Kensington station ( north west of the Melbourne City Centre ) and South Yarra ( in the south east ) with five new underground stations. The project will increase the capacity of the rail network to metro - style frequencies. The project has been touted as a precursor for various other expansion projects outlined in the PTV Network Development Plan, in particular an expansion of rail services to Doncaster, Melbourne Airport and Rowville. It will also allow for the operational separation of various existing lines. The project is currently the subject of further planning and geotechnical investigations, with community consultations and development works already under way. In February 2015, the State government established the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority, with $40 million in funding, to oversee planning of the project and $1.5 billion to commence land and property acquisitions and detailed route investigations. A further $3 billion in funding, redirected from the now defunct East West Link project, was committed. In November 2015 it was announced that most of the project would be built as a public - private partnership, with private sector investors funding much of the estimated $9 billion to $11 billion cost upfront. Early enabling works commenced in late 2016, with major construction expected to commence in 2018, and completed in 2026. The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority will also construct the Ballarat Line Upgrade to upgrade the capacity of the line between Melbourne and Ballarat, paving the way for the future electrification of the line to Melton. Major construction is expected to commence in early 2018 with a target completion date of late 2019. The Upgrade, with a budget of $518 million, will duplicate 17 kilometres of track between Deer Park West and Melton, upgrade stations at Rockbank, Bacchus Marsh and Ballan, and add passing loops at Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and near Bungaree. The Upgrade will enable extra services in the morning and afternoon peaks between Melbourne and Ballarat. Contents 1 History 2 Project description 3 Intended benefits 3.1 Improve network capacity 3.2 Relieve Swanston Street tram services 3.3 Allow for further network expansion 3.4 Jobs 4 Criticism 4.1 Increase existing capacity 4.2 Lack of interchange at South Yarra 4.3 Cost and funding 4.4 Swanston Street & CBD disruption 5 Stations 5.1 North Melbourne 5.2 Parkville 5.3 State Library 5.4 Town Hall 5.5 Anzac 6 References 7 External links History Further information : Transport in Melbourne Map of the Metro Tunnel ( orange stripe ), existing passenger railway tracks ( white / grey dashed lines ) and major motorways This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( October 2015 ) The need for an overhaul of the existing commuter rail network was first discussed in the early 2000s as unprecedented population growth began to place significant pressure on existing rail infrastructure and constraints on the inner core of the network as it approached capacity. A plan to create a London Underground style `` tube '' system for Melbourne was first proposed in 2005 running between the inner - north and linking up to the south - eastern suburbs via the CBD and St Kilda Road. By 2008 the Brumby Government, as part of the now defunct Victorian Transport Plan, envisaged a two - stage project known as Melbourne Metro 1 and Melbourne Metro 2. The 17 km twin rail tunnels would have run from Footscray station to Domain Interchange via the CBD ( Stage 1 ), costing approximately $4.5 billion, with the second stage running from Domain to Caulfield. Combined, this plan would link the Sunbury and Dandenong lines, freeing up capacity within the existing City Loop to add more services. In 2012, the newly elected Baillieu Government combined the two projects, significantly shortening the route and adding a station at Arden Street in North Melbourne to allow for urban renewal. The project was known as the Melbourne Metro Rail Project. This allowed for the benefits of both projects with a simplified scope as submitted to Infrastructure Australia for Federal Government funding approval. The envisaged project would allow for five underground stations, with interchanges at Melbourne Central and Flinders Street, with funding provisionally allocated by the Federal and State governments to further develop a business plan and subsequent early construction works. In 2012, the Department of Transport commenced geotechnical drillings and route investigations. By May 2013, with a newly installed Premier, the project was significantly reworked and renamed the Melbourne Rail Link under Premier Denis Napthine. The line would run from Southern Cross station to South Yarra station, with stations at Fishermans Bend ( to be known as Montague Station ) and Domain Interchange, with significant modifications made to the City Loop to allow for bi-directional running. Stations at Parkville and the northern and southern ends of the CBD were scrapped in favour of avoiding years of disruption along Swanston Street. Coupled with the project was the long - awaited plan to build a heavy rail link to Melbourne Airport, which would be subsequently incorporated into the newly reworked project. By this time, the project completion date had been extended to 2026 with no additional Federal Government funding allocation. Some $820 million had been provisionally allocated by the State Government for commencement of pre-construction works. In November 2014, the newly elected Andrews Government dumped the Melbourne Rail Link and revived the original Melbourne Metro Rail Project, committing $300 million in the first year of government to commence detailed pre-construction planning and procurement. In February 2015, Premier Daniel Andrews announced the creation of the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority to oversee planning and procurement of the project with $40 million fast - tracked prior to the release of the budget. In April 2015, the route for the project was announced which would provide new underground stations at the Domain Interchange ( on St Kilda and Domain Roads ), and the Parkville university / hospital precinct ( near Grattan Street and Royal Parade ), as well as a station in North Melbourne. The route would run via Swanston Street with interchange opportunities at Melbourne Central and Flinders Street stations and connect the Sunbury line with the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines. The State Government redirected the $3 billion credit facility previously allocated to the axed East West Link road project to the Melbourne Metro Rail Project. With the election of the Andrews Government in November 2014, the project was positioned as a priority for ongoing future development and eventual construction. On 18 February 2015, Premier Daniel Andrews announced $40 million had been allocated to commence detailed planning works, community consultation, route design and development of a refreshed business case. The balance, some $260 million, is to be delivered in the May 2015 / 16 Victorian State Budget. It was revealed that a line of credit facility, originally proposed for the now - cancelled East West Link, would be used to provide up to $3 billion in funding for the project, over the forward estimates. Andrews announced in April 2015 that $1.5 billion would be allocated in the upcoming 2015 / 16 State Budget for the full cost of pre-construction works, geo technical drilling, land and property acquisition and detailed route investigations. This is on top of a previously announced $300 million earlier in the year. Furthermore, some 150 bore holes will be drilled along the route across Melbourne to investigate soil and ground composition, including the Yarra River. In October 2015 the government announced it had abandoned earlier plans to run the tunnel just metres beneath Swanston Street and above the existing City Loop tunnels and instead place parts of the project 40 metres underground between CBD North and CBD South stations. The decision was made to reduce disruption to trams and traders on Swanston Street and avoid removing critical utilities, such as telecommunication lines, from beneath the street. The government said it would compulsorily acquire the properties of 63 households and 31 businesses at several locations on the tunnel route. In January 2016 soil testing and drilling began in the Yarra River. In February 2016, CPB Contractors, a John Holland / KBR consortium and a Lend Lease / Coleman Rail consortium were shortlisted to bid for the early works. In June 2016, John Holland was awarded a $324 million contract which includes the excavation of 35 metre deep open shafts adjacent to Swanston Street to enable the underground construction of the two new city stations, and the relocation of up to 100 subterranean utilities. Utility relocations started in July 2016. In August 2016, three consortia were shortlisted to bid for the main contract : Continuum Victoria : Acciona Infrastructure, Ferrovial Agroman, Honeywell, Downer Rail & Plenary Group Moving Melbourne Together : Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors, Ghella, Salini Impregilo, Serco & Macquarie Capital Cross Yarra Partnership : Lend Lease, John Holland, Bouygues & Capella Capital In January 2017 works commenced in Melbourne 's CBD to build shafts to allow the insertion of tunnelling equipment, and to build the new CBD North station. The works in the CBD have seen the closure of sections for Franklin Street and A'Beckett street for up to five years. Works also commenced along St Kilda Rd to prepare for the construction of both the tunnel and the Domain station. In July 2017 the Victorian Government announced the Cross Yarra Partnership ( CYP ) as preferred bidder for the $ A 6bn Melbourne Metro Tunnel and stations public - private partnership. The consortium led by Lend Lease Engineering, John Holland, Bouygues Construction and Capella Capital has been chosen to build the 9km long tunnel and five new underground stations. Construction for the project commenced in 2017 and is targeted for completion by 2026. Project description The project will consist of two 9 - kilometre rail tunnels between South Kensington and South Yarra via the CBD with five new underground stations, to be known as North Melbourne, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac. The line will run from the north - west to the south - east and combine the Sunbury line with the Cranbourne / Pakenham line. While the rail tunnel is the centrepiece of the project, further works will also be carried out on the Craigieburn and Upfield lines and complement existing projects underway on the Dandenong line, to create four ' metro - style ' lines which each run independent of each other. This includes the provision of high speed signalling, level crossing removals, track and station improvements and additional train stabling facilities. In addition, High Capacity Metro Trains will be procured to add further capacity to the network. Intended benefits This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. Please help improve it by removing promotional content and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic content written from a neutral point of view. ( August 2017 ) Improve network capacity The primary aim of the project is to increase capacity within the inner core of the metropolitan network, as well as improving reliability and efficiency when linking up two of Melbourne 's busiest train lines, the Sunbury and Cranbourne / Pakenham lines. It is estimated that once complete, the project will allow for an additional 20,000 passengers during peak periods and provide for additional points of interchange with existing light and heavy rail transport. Relieve Swanston Street tram services With the proposed route expected to run directly under Swanston Street and towards the south - eastern suburbs, the project will provide much needed relief to existing and overcrowded tram services that run from St Kilda Road into the CBD. Currently, St Kilda Road is the busiest tram thoroughfare in the world, with up to 10 tram routes running into the CBD via Swanston Street. The Melbourne Metro is expected to relieve this pressure by allowing commuters to catch the train into the Domain Interchange and CBD from either the north - west or south - eastern suburbs, avoiding already congested tram routes. In particular, many of the existing tram routes that run through St Kilda Road terminate at Melbourne University, which will be more easily accessible from the nearby Parkville station when the Melbourne Metro is complete. Allow for further network expansion In 2012, Public Transport Victoria, the body charged with planning and coordination of public transport services in Victoria, released the Metropolitan Network Development Plan. It emphasised the need for the project as a precursor for other heavy rail expansion projects, given current limitations on existing inner city infrastructure to cope with additional services running into the inner part of the network. In particular rail lines to Doncaster, Melbourne Airport and Rowville require additional inner core capacity to enable services to run on those lines into the CBD. Jobs The project is expected to employ up to 3,500 people during peak construction. Criticism Increase existing capacity The need for a new tunnel to increase capacity has been subject to criticism that capacity on the existing network is under utilised or hamstrung by operational inefficiencies. Paul Mees in 2008 noted that the claim the new tunnel would allow 40 extra trains per hour through the city should be compared to an increase of 56 trains per hour by increasing line capacity to 24 trains per hour per line ( 80 % of the theoretical 30 trains per hour allowed by the current signalling system ), reducing dwell times and other efficiencies such as terminating some trains at Flinders Street station rather than Southern Cross station. Mees also criticised the proposal for absorbing rail investment at the expense of extending the network at its periphery. Other proposals have also been suggested for some relatively minor alterations to the City Loop to allow different groupings of the lines without any new stations. Critics have also argued that by implementing High Capacity Signalling ( HCS ) across the network, additional services would be able to run on existing infrastructure, by reducing headway between trains allowing more services to run. In March 2015, the State Government announced a trial of HCS would commence on the Sandringham line, with a view to expand it across the network once successful trials were complete. Lack of Interchange at South Yarra The current scope of the project has ruled out integration with South Yarra station, meaning it will be bypassed by trains using the new tunnel. This would prevent passengers using the tunnel transferring from the Dandenong and Frankston lines to the Sandringham line. Pressure from the State Opposition and the Greens to include the station in the tunnel 's design have gone unheeded. The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority has defended the plan, saying the economic case for integration is poor, requiring the building of a new hub and the acquisition of 114 properties including part of The Jam Factory at a cost of an extra $1 billion ; a business case estimate indicates a return of only 20c for every dollar spent on the station. Integration of South Yarra station into the project has been the subject of lobbying as a requirement for federal funding. Cost and funding A significant point of contention has been the relative cost of the project and the capacity of the State to afford up to $11 billion. The previous Abbott Federal Government has specifically ruled out funding urban rail projects across the country, limiting funding options for the Melbourne Metro project and placing pressure on the State Government to fund the project with a mix of debt and private business investment. While funding allocated by the Abbott Government for the now - scrapped East West Link was specifically ruled out for use on urban rail projects in Melbourne, the new Turnbull government has removed this condition. Federal funding options for the project can be realised through the Abbott Government 's ' Asset Recycling Program ', which matches 15 % of the cost of any State Government asset that is sold to be used for infrastructure projects. The sale of the Port of Melbourne by the Andrews Government could provide additional funding to the Melbourne Metro project once sold, including an indirect contribution by the Federal Government. Swanston Street & CBD disruption Concerns existed over expected disruption along the Swanston Street corridor, with former Premier Denis Napthine controversially describing the alignment of the tunnel as akin to the Berlin Wall, which would `` tear the city in half for up to two years ''. However, changes to engineering and construction plans indicate that tunneling, rather than the ' cut and cover ' method of construction, will be employed. Minimal disruption for trams, pedestrians and traders along Swanston Street is thus expected. Stations North Melbourne North Melbourne station is the first of the five new stations to be constructed. The station, to be built near the intersection of Arden and Laurens Streets in North Melbourne, is planned to allow for urban renewal of the formerly industrial suburb. The station is expected to serve some 25,000 residents once complete. The existing North Melbourne station will be renamed West Melbourne. Parkville Parkville station is to be located on the intersection of Grattan Street and Royal Parade in Parkville, in proximity to the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Melbourne University. The station, to be located underground, will relieve pressure on north - south tram routes and the congested 401 bus service between North Melbourne station and the university / hospital precinct. New tram stops are to be constructed as part of the project allowing for seamless tram and train interchanges. The station will service the busy hospital and research precinct, including the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre. The station is expected to service 60,000 passengers each day in 2031. State Library State Library station is to be located underground on the intersection of Swanston and La Trobe Streets in the Melbourne CBD above the existing Melbourne Central station. This will allow for interchange opportunities between stations and existing lines and relieve pressure on Swanston Street tram routes. The station will service the northern end of the CBD, as well as the State Library of Victoria and RMIT University. The line will continue underneath Swanston Street running below the existing City Loop tunnels. The station will serve up to 40,000 passengers once complete. Town Hall Town Hall station is to be located underground on the corner of Swanston and Flinders Streets, with direct connections to Flinders Street station, adding further relief to tram services and servicing the southern end of the CBD. The station will be within proximity to St Paul 's Cathedral, the Arts Precinct, Southbank and Federation Square and have exits on Collins Street. The line will proceed south running below the Yarra River and the Burnley and Domain tunnels. The station is expected to serve some 55,000 passengers during peak periods. Anzac Anzac station is to be located underground on St Kilda Road and Park Streets adjacent to the Domain Interchange, with interchange opportunities with existing St Kilda Road tram services. The station will service the Shrine of Remembrance, the busy St Kilda Road office precinct, the Royal Botanic Gardens and Melbourne Grammar School. The station is expected to serve approximately 14,500 passengers during peak periods. The southern portal for the tunnel is to be located to the south of South Yarra station. References ^ Jump up to : Dow, Aisha ( 16 January 2017 ). `` CBD roads to be closed for years as Melbourne Metro Tunnel construction begins ''. Jump up ^ Carey, Adam ( 19 November 2015 ). `` Private sector called on to fund multibillion - dollar Melbourne Metro rail tunnel ''. The Age. Retrieved 19 November 2015. Jump up ^ `` Melbourne Metro Rail Project ''. Jump up ^ `` Ballarat Line Upgrade website ''. Ballarat Line Upgrade. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017. Jump up ^ Pollock, Michael ( 27 April 2016 ). `` '' $518 m commitment to Ballarat rail line `` ''. The Ballarat Courier. Retrieved 1 August 2017. Jump up ^ Pollock, Michael ( 27 April 2016 ). `` $518 m commitment to Ballarat rail line '' ``. The Ballarat Courier. Retrieved 1 August 2017. Jump up ^ `` Call for ' tube ' line underneath Melbourne ''. The Age. 7 November 2005. Retrieved 10 December 2017. Jump up ^ Adam Carey ( 2015 - 02 - 16 ). `` Melbourne Metro rail tunnel project revived by Daniel Andrews ''. Theage.com.au. Retrieved 2015 - 05 - 14. Jump up ^ `` $1.5 Billion To Get Started On Melbourne Metro Rail Project Premier of Victoria ''. Premier.vic.gov.au. 2015 - 04 - 28. Retrieved 2015 - 05 - 14. Jump up ^ `` Geotechnical investigations ''. Dtpli.vic.gov.au. 2015 - 05 - 07. Retrieved 2015 - 05 - 14. Jump up ^ Farrah Tomizin ( 25 October 2015 ). `` Money pit deepens ''. The Sunday Age. p. 1. Retrieved 30 October 2015. Jump up ^ Johnston, Matt ; White, Alex ; Dillane, Tom ( 15 October 2015 ). `` Homes must go for tunnel ''. The Herald Sun. p. 7. Jump up ^ Geotrchnical investigations in Yarra River Melbourne Metro Rail 19 January 2016 Jump up ^ Shortlist for Early Works released Melbourne Metro Rail 24 February 2016 Jump up ^ `` Major work to begin next year ''. melbournemetro.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2016 - 06 - 22. Jump up ^ `` It 's official. Major works on the Metro Tunnel will begin next year ''. www.premier.vic.gov.au. 2016 - 06 - 22. Retrieved 2016 - 06 - 22. Jump up ^ World 's Best Shortlisted to Build the Metro Tunnel Premier of Victoria 11 August 2016 ^ Jump up to : `` Frequently asked questions ''. Dtpli.vic.gov.au. 2015 - 05 - 01. Retrieved 2015 - 05 - 14. Jump up ^ `` Does Melbourne need another central rail tunnel ? '' ( PDF ). July 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2015. Jump up ^ Carey, Adam ( 15 May 2015 ). `` New underground station for South Yarra ruled out in rail tunnel plans ''. The Age. Fairfax. Retrieved 19 November 2015. Jump up ^ Gordon, Josh ; Willingham, Richard ; Preiss, Benjamin ( 22 October 2015 ). `` Federal rail cash under a cloud over South Yarra station stoush ''. The Age. Fairfax. Retrieved 19 November 2015. Jump up ^ Adam Carey, Josh Gordon ( 2013 - 04 - 04 ). `` Abbott warns Victorian Libs : no money for urban rail ''. Theage.com.au. Retrieved 2015 - 05 - 14. Jump up ^ Benjamin Preiss ( 2015 - 06 - 04 ). `` Federal government opens door to funding Melbourne Metro rail tunnel ''. Theage.com.au. Retrieved 2015 - 11 - 05. Jump up ^ `` Port sale standoff threatens to derail Andrews government 's transport promises ''. Theage.com.au. 2015 - 04 - 09. Retrieved 2015 - 05 - 14. Jump up ^ Richard Willingham ( 2014 - 02 - 17 ). `` Swanston Street rip - up for Melbourne Metro rail akin to Berlin Wall : Napthine ''. Theage.com.au. Retrieved 2015 - 05 - 14. Jump up ^ Willingham, Richard ( 21 October 2015 ). `` Melbourne Metro Rail project : Trams to keep running along Swanston Street ''. The Age. Fairfax. Retrieved 21 October 2015. External links Project website Melbourne History Geography Demographics Economy Transportation Culture Architecture Skyscrapers Tourism Education Melbourne 's public transport Modes and network Trains ( stations ) Trams ( routes ) Buses ( routes ) - SmartBus Night Network Ticketing myki Metropolitan rail operators Metro Trains Melbourne ( heavy rail ) Keolis Downer - Yarra Trams ( tram / light rail ) Regional rail operators V / Line ( heavy rail ) Metropolitan and regional bus operators Broadmeadows Bus Service Cardinia Transit CDC Melbourne Cranbourne Transit Dyson 's Bus Services East West Bus Company Grenda 's Bus Services Invicta Bus Services Ivanhoe Bus Company Kastoria Bus Lines Martyrs Bus Service McKenzie 's Tourist Services Moonee Valley Coaches Moorabbin Transit Moreland Buslines Panorama Coaches Peninsula Bus Lines Portsea Passenger Service Reservoir Bus Company Ryan Brothers Bus Service Sita Buslines Skybus Super Shuttle Sunbury Bus Service Transdev Melbourne Tullamarine Bus Lines US Bus Lines Ventura Bus Lines Planned infrastructure Melbourne Metro Rail Project Proposed rail extensions Proposed tram extensions Authorities Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources Level Crossing Removal Authority Public Transport Victoria Transport for Victoria Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Melbourne_Metro_Rail_Project&oldid=820089244 '' Categories : Proposed railway lines in Australia Railway lines in Melbourne Rail transport in Melbourne Underground commuter rail Hidden categories : Use dmy dates from January 2012 Use Australian English from January 2012 All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English Articles needing additional references from October 2015 All articles needing additional references Articles with a promotional tone from August 2017 All articles with a promotional tone Victoria ( Australia ) articles missing geocoordinate data All articles needing coordinates Talk Contents About Wikipedia 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 13 January 2018, at 00 : 31. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: when will the melbourne metro tunnel be finished
Answer: 2026