Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel Nears Opening

Metro Tunnel opening: new era for commuters

Melbourne is preparing to switch on its biggest rail upgrade in four decades, with the Metro Tunnel due to open within weeks.

The new cross-city line will initially run shuttles before being folded into the wider timetable in early 2026. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described it as a “city-building project” that will move people to work and home faster.

The 9-kilometre twin tunnels run beneath the CBD from South Kensington to South Yarra. 

They are designed to remove bottlenecks in the City Loop and allow more trains on some of Melbourne’s busiest lines.

New stations: Metro Tunnel connects key Melbourne precincts

The project adds five underground stations: North Melbourne (Arden), Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac. 

These stops link major employment, health and education hubs, including the Parkville hospital and university precinct.

State Library and Town Hall stations sit deep under the heart of the CBD and feature long platforms and spacious concourses. 

Each station has a distinct architectural style, with artwork and materials chosen to reflect the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Capacity boost: more trains, fewer delays

By connecting the Sunbury line in the west with the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines in the south-east, the Metro Tunnel creates a continuous 97-kilometre rail corridor. 

This “through-running” design means trains no longer need to turn around in the city, which often caused delays.

High-capacity metro trains and new signalling will allow more services in peak periods. 

As a result, authorities expect less crowding on platforms and shorter waiting times for passengers across the network.

Suburban Rail Loop: tunnel tied to wider transport vision

Albanese linked the Metro Tunnel’s launch to the federal government’s ongoing support for Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop, an orbital metro line now in early construction. 

Canberra has already committed billions of dollars to the first SRL stage and signalled more funding in future budgets. 

Together, the Metro Tunnel, SRL and related upgrades such as level-crossing removals are intended to reshape how Melburnians move around their city. 

However, the cost of these projects and the state’s rising debt continue to draw scrutiny from economists and the opposition. 

Safety testing: final checks before passengers board

Before opening day, the line is undergoing intensive safety testing, including trial running of full timetables and emergency drills. 

Engineers are also monitoring minor water seepage in parts of the tunnel, which the Victorian government insists is within design limits. 

Once services begin, passengers can expect faster trips between the west and south-east, and direct trains to the CBD’s new underground stations.

Meanwhile, planners will watch how the tunnel performs before rolling out the full new timetable early next year.

Image: PM Facebook

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