Metro Tunnel Project overview

About the project

The Metro Tunnel means more ways to move around Melbourne, new connections and more choice.

Trains will start running through the Metro Tunnel in early December 2025, stopping at the 5 new underground train stations.

From 1 February 2026, the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury Line will run through the new tunnels under Melbourne’s CBD.

The project is delivering:

twin 9km rail tunnels connecting the Sunbury and Cranbourne and Pakenham lines
5 new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac
underground pedestrian links to Flinders Street and Melbourne Central stations for easy interchange with the City Loop
Melbourne’s first tram/train interchange at Anzac Station on St Kilda Road
High Capacity Signalling allowing for turn-up-and-go services during peak times
safety features including platform screen doors.

Project milestones

Planning and procurement stage

April 2015 – Site investigations begin
February 2016 – Metro Tunnel Business Case released
June 2016 – Contract awarded for early works
December 2016 – Environment Effects Statement process finishes
July 2017 – Contracts awarded for tunnel and stations construction and rail system upgrades
July 2018 – Contract awarded for rail infrastructure connections and upgrades

Early works stage

April 2017 – City Square closed as work begins on Town Hall Station
July 2017 – Toorak Road trams connected to St Kilda Road for construction of Anzac Station
September 2017 – Demolition and archaeology digs in the CBD begin
October 2017 – Construction of the first acoustic shed begins (at Franklin Street)
February 2018 – Grattan Steet closed for construction of Parkville Station
August 2018 - Piling works at City Square begin
December 2018 - Federation Square Visitor Centre demolished

Major construction stage

August 2019 – First tunnel boring machine (TBM) launches at the Arden Station site
February 2020 – First TBM breakthrough completes a section of tunnel from Arden to Kensington
July 2020 – New platform at West Footscray Station open
May 2021 – All TBM tunnelling complete
February 2022 – Track installation begins
March 2022 – Sunshine Signal Control Centre completed
December 2022 – New Anzac Station tram stop open
March 2023 – Track installation completed with the Metro Tunnel connected to the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines
January 2024 – Arden Station complete
May 2024 – Parkville Station complete
September 2024 – Anzac Station complete
October 2025 – Town Hall Station and State Library Station complete

Testing stage

June 2023 – First test trains enter the Metro Tunnel
October 2023 – High Capacity Signalling introduced on sections of the Cranbourne and Pakenham line
October 2023– High Capacity Metro Train begin running on the Sunbury Line
September 2024 - Testing begins with multiple trains in the tunnel
January 2025 - Trial operations begin including station staff training
April 2025 - Metro Trains Melbourne staff move into Arden, Anzac and Parkville stations
October 2025 - Metro Trains Melbourne staff move into State Library Station

Upcoming milestones

Early December 2025 - Trains will start running through the Metro Tunnel and stopping at all 5 new stations
1 February 2026 - A new timetable will be introduced, all Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury Line trains will run through the Metro Tunnel, and Frankston Line trains will return to the City Loop

Project delivery

VIDA Metro is responsible for planning and development of project reference design, site investigations, stakeholder engagement, planning approvals and procurement, through to the construction delivery and project commissioning phases.

Construction delivery

Works package	Procurement model	Delivery
Early works Utility service relocation and works to prepare construction sites	Managing Contractor	John Holland
Tunnel and stations Main tunnelling works, 5 underground stations, station fit-out, mechanical and electrical systems and specific maintenance services for the infrastructure delivered by the package and commercial opportunities at the new stations.	Availability based Public Private Partnership	Cross Yarra Partnership (CYP) consortium, comprising Lendlease Melbourne Metro, John Holland, Bouygues Construction, John Laing and Capella Capital. Metro Trains will provide technical, service and operational advice, as well as facilitate safe access to the rail corridor and manage disruptions to train services.
Rail infrastructure Works at the eastern and western portals including cut and cover tunnelling, decline structures, turnbacks and local reconfiguration and realignment of existing lines.	Competitive alliance	A consortium comprising John Holland, CPB Contractors and AECOM in partnership with Metro Tunnel Project and Metro Trains as the rail operator. From 2022, the remaining rail infrastructure works package will be delivered by a consortium called the Rail Network Alliance, comprising John Holland, CPB Contractors, Alstom, AECOM, Metro Tunnel Project and Metro Trains.
Construction power	Utility Service Provider works	Beon Energy Solutions
Rail systems Rail systems design (including conventional signalling, High Capacity Signalling, train and power control systems and operational control systems), installation works, rail systems integration and commissioning.	Competitive alliance	CPB Contractors and Alstom / Bombardier Transportation in partnership with Metro Tunnel Project and Metro Trains as the rail operator. From 2022, the remaining rail systems works package will be delivered by a consortium called the Rail Network Alliance, comprising John Holland, CPB Contractors, Alstom, AECOM, Metro Tunnel Project and Metro Trains.
Tram infrastructure works	Franchise Works (Yarra Trams)	Yarra Trams

Specialist advisors

Aurecon Jacobs Mott MacDonald (AJM) Joint Venture (Technical, Planning and Engagement Advisor)
KPMG (Commercial and Financial Advisor)
Herbert Smith Freehills (Legal Advisor)
Advisian (Constructability Advisor)
Aquenta (Cost Advisor)
O'Connor Marsden (Probity Advisor)