The Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project has entered a new stage of testing, with trains set to run another 150,000km back and forth under the city before the tunnel opens in 2025.
Test trains have already travelled almost 20,000km since first entering the tunnel in 2023, and crews have worked more than 2,000 hours on the testing program.
The rigorous phase includes opening and closing platform screen doors at least 30,000 more times to make sure they match each of the new modern High-Capacity Metro Trains that are set to join the network.
As testing continues, trial operations will begin later in 2024, running practice services with drivers and station staff to ensure everything is ready for passengers when the tunnel and five new stations open.
The Metro Tunnel Project has completed major construction on Arden and Parkville stations – as Anzac Station nears completion and works progress on the two CBD stations 40m below Swanston Street.
The project will connect the busy Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines through a new tunnel under the city, creating an end-to-end rail line from the north-west to the south-east – freeing up space in the City Loop and creating capacity to run more trains more often.
When the tunnel opens to the public – a year ahead of schedule – they will be able to travel across the city from Anzac to Arden station in approximately eleven minutes.
Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, said that thousands and thousands of Victorians will use this tunnel every day.
“So, we’re opening and closing doors thousands and thousands of times and running test trains up and back for thousands and thousands of miles,” Ms Allan said.
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Danny Pearson, said that testing is a critical part of this complex project.
“We’ve accelerated Arden Station’s completion so that we can get a head start on testing advanced systems that will help transform the ways Victorians move through our city,” Mr Pearson said.
Victorian Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams, said, “The Metro Tunnel will change the way people move – opening up new connections and saving time for passengers across our network.”
Image: Kym McLeod/shutterstock.com
