VIC's $11bn Metro Tunnel marks new major milestones in 2020
Victoria’s $11 billion Metro Tunnel project has reached major milestones as it celebrates five years since commencing work as well as completing the first section of the tunnel with tunnel boring machine (TBM) Joan breaking through at the western entrance in Kensington.
Since launching in August 2019, TBM Joan has dug under rail lines, CityLink, Moonee Ponds Creek, North Yarra Main Sewer and the West Melbourne Terminal Station. Joan has travelled approximately 1.2 kilometres and has installed about 4,200 curved concrete segments that created 700 rings lining the walls of the tunnel.
“We said we’d build Victoria’s biggest public transport project - and it’s great to see the first section of the Metro Tunnel complete,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
The second TBM, named Meg, is currently travelling on a parallel route to dig out the second tunnel starting from Arden to Kensington. TBM Meg is expected to break through in the coming weeks.
Works are also underway at the site of the new Anzac Station under St Kilda Street to assemble the third and fourth TBMs. TBMs Millie and Alice are expected to be launched by mid-2020.
“Five years ago work started on the biggest public transport project in Victoria’s history - today, we’re getting it done with the final tunnel boring machines being assembled,” Mr Andrews said.
Source: Metro Tunnel
In addition to Metro Tunnel, works to deliver the State’s largest road infrastructure project - the North East Link - has also commenced in Melbourne’s north.
“The Metro Tunnel and North East Link are part of our massive pipeline of road and rail projects that will transform the way Victorians move around our city and state,” the Premier said.
Once Metro Tunnel becomes operational, it will create more capacity for over 500,000 extra passengers a week during peak hours across Melbourne’s train network. The Metro Tunnel is expected to be completed by 2025.
“The Metro Tunnel will slash travel times, support 7,000 jobs and carry half-a-million extra passengers every week,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said.
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Source: Premier of Victoria (1, 2); Metro Tunnel; Inside Construction
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