Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel: Minister warns of traffic disruptions when construction begins
Updated 38 minutes ago
An image of the planned Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel
PHOTO: An image of an underground station in the planned Metro Rail project. (Supplied)
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One of the main thoroughfares leading into Melbourne's CBD will be reduced to two lanes during the construction of the Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel.
The Environmental Effects Statement for the $11 billion project will be released today and will include a list of roads that will be closed during the nine-year construction phase.
The project involves building two 9-kilometre tunnels, and five underground railway stations between South Kensington and South Yarra.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said one of the biggest disruptions would be to St Kilda Road.
"Between Domain Road and Toorak Road it will be reconfigured to one lane of traffic in each direction," she said.
Melbourne Metro Rail Project
PHOTO: The project includes five underground railway stations across the inner city. (Supplied: Victorian Government)
"There's no doubt that's going to cause disruption for a period of time but this is Australia's biggest transport infrastructure project. We need to get it done."
Ms Allan said pedestrian and bicycle access would be maintained in the area, but there would be changes to the number 8 and 55 tram routes in South Yarra.
Trams travelling along Domain Road and Park Street will be re-routed along Toorak Road West.
Up to 900 trees will be removed to make way for the tunnel.
She said there would also be disruptions within the CBD, including in City Square.
"Every effort has been made to minimise the above-ground impact .... but there will be some areas of the city where the open space that is there will be need to be used during the construction phase," she said.
Early work on the tunnel is due to start in 2017.
The tunnel depth of Melbourne Metro Rail Project
PHOTO: The Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel will have underground stations across the inner city. (Supplied)
