The Metro Tunnel connects the Sunbury Line in Kensington to the Cranbourne and Pakenham Line in South Yarra.
Location The western tunnel entrance is located alongside the existing rail corridor near South Kensington Station. It includes descending tracks so that trains can enter and exit the Metro Tunnel.
From the western tunnel entrance, the project's twin tunnels pass under Moonee Ponds Creek and CityLink before arriving at Arden Station.
Construction of the western entrance is complete, but some works will be continuing in the area into 2026.
Features
Childers Street Childers Street has been upgraded with a new road surface, pathways, lighting, pavement and extensive landscaping including water-sensitive rain gardens.
There are 82 parking spaces, between Kensington Road and South Kensington Station, as well as 4 accessible parking bays and 2 emergency vehicle bays.
On-street parking for vehicles has been retained on Childers Street between Tennyson Street and Younghusband Lane.
Station forecourt The realignment of Childers Street has created more space outside the station entrance for a new entrance canopy, garden beds, new lighting and improved pedestrian and cyclist connections.
To the west of the station is a new pedestrian area featuring a seated area, new lighting, extensive landscaping, 18 bicycle hoops, 4 accessible parking spaces and 2 emergency vehicle bays.
While we have the forecourt, the Metro Tunnel Project does not include upgrades or a new station in South Kensington.
Buildings The emergency access/egress shaft will allow crews to access the tunnels in case of emergency.
Floodwall A 300m-long flood wall protects the western tunnel entrance.
In 2021, a permanent artwork by local artist and designer Stephen Banham, called 'One Day in Our Park', was installed on the flood wall.
Find out more about the artwork and the Legacy Artwork Program .
Pocket park A new pocket park has been established at 135 Ormond Street, north of South Kensington Station.
Featuring an open lawn area, mudstone retaining walls, garden beds and tree plantings, the new pocket park has been integrated with JJ Holland Park and the new public spaces outside South Kensington Station.
Equipment rooms A signalling equipment room and a communications equipment room have been built adjacent the rail corridor at 1-39 Hobsons Road. These rooms host important equipment to operate trains in the Metro Tunnel. A driveway from Hobsons Road provides maintenance access to the new buildings and the existing high-voltage tower.
Key urban design elements in this area include architectural panelling surrounding the buildings, and landscaping at the corner of Kensington and Hobsons roads.
Location Trains enter/exit the Metro Tunnel near William Street, passing underneath the Sandringham and Frankston lines and underneath South Yarra Siding Reserve.
The Metro Tunnel runs west under Toorak and St Kilda roads to Anzac Station. The next stop heading east from the tunnel entrance for trains using the Metro Tunnel is Malvern Station.
Features
South Yarra Siding Reserve The Metro Tunnel Project revitalised this local park for the community to enjoy, with new landscaping, better lighting and improved accessibility. The reserve reopened to the public in May 2024.
Two artworks, Murrup Biik Where We Walk
The Arthur Street pocket park also includes new landscaping and seating.
Buildings A ventilation shaft will be used for maintaining air quality during tunnel maintenance and removing fumes in the event of an emergency. The Metro Tunnel will be used exclusively by electric trains, which do not emit fumes.
An emergency access/egress shaft will allow crews to access the tunnels in case of emergency.
Entrance The decline structure is what allows trains to enter and exit the Metro Tunnel near William Street and pass underneath the Sandringham and Frankston lines.
The decline structure and the tunnel entrance were completed in early 2021 via the 'cut and cover' method, which involved excavating from the top down, with the surface then reinstated over the top of the tunnels.
Rail corridor The rail corridor between William and Chapel streets was widened and reconfigured to make room for the 2 additional tracks that enter the Metro Tunnel.
South Yarra Station The Metro Tunnel Project does not include a new station in South Yarra or a connection from the existing station.
Upon completion of the Metro Tunnel, passengers using South Yarra Station will benefit from improved capacity and more frequent services on the Frankston and Sandringham lines.
