The Melbourne Metro Tunnel has reached an important milestone as one of the four massive Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) that will dig the tunnel being assembled in North Melbourne is now in place.
Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, joined Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, in North Melbourne to view the pieces of the mega machine and mark one year since ground was first broken at the site.
They also announced details of the upcoming winter construction blitz, which will use the quieter school holiday period to continue work on the lines across Melbourne and regional Victoria.
At the North Melbourne worksite, crews are working around the clock to prepare the remaining TBM pieces for lifting and lowering. In the past week, three pieces have been lowered into the station box.
Once launched, the mega machine – coloured red and named after the trailblazing Joan Kirner – will excavate more than 100,000 cubic metres of rock and soil.
Hand in hand with Metro Tunnel construction, Melbourne’s biggest ever upgrade of power, signalling and communications continues this winter, paving the way for more trains more often across the network.
Works are also moving full steam ahead at Carrum, where three level crossings are being removed and the old station will be demolished to make way for a brand-new facility.
Premier Andrews said, “Crews are working around the clock to put these massive machines together, which will dig the Metro Tunnel, untangle the city loop, and deliver more trains more often across Melbourne.
“It’s part of our massive Suburban Transport Blitz – which is creating thousands of jobs and building the road and rail projects we need to get you where you need to go.”
Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, said, “Soon these massive tunnel boring machines will be digging underneath our city to run more trains more often.”
