Project Profile: Melbourne Metro Tunnel

The Melbourne Metro Tunnel project is a city-shaping rail infrastructure initiative designed to untangle the City Loop and create a new end-to-end rail line from Sunbury in the west to Cranbourne/Pakenham in the south-east. This critical upgrade introduces high-capacity signalling and next-generation rolling stock through 9km of twin-bore tunnels, fundamentally increasing the capacity, reliability, and efficiency of Melbourne’s metropolitan rail network. The project adds five new state-of-the-art underground stations to the city’s transport map.

Project Fact Sheet

Technical Specifications

The core of the project is a 9km twin-tunnel system running up to 40 meters beneath Melbourne’s CBD, connecting the Sunbury line to the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines. The tunnels were excavated using four custom-built Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), while the five new underground stations—Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and Anzac—were constructed using cut-and-cover and mined cavern methods. A key technological advancement is the implementation of a Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) High Capacity Signalling (HCS) system. This modern signalling allows trains to run more frequently and closer together, enabling an initial peak-hour capacity increase of over 20,000 passengers.

The project is serviced by a fleet of High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMTs). These 7-car trainsets, extendable to 10 cars, are designed to carry over 1,100 passengers and feature platform screen doors at the new stations to improve safety, climate control, and boarding efficiency. The project’s integration with the existing network required extensive modifications at Sunshine and Dandenong, which serve as the primary signalling and operational control centres for the new line.

Key Takeaways

• Network Decongestion: By diverting three of the busiest lines out of the City Loop, the project frees up capacity across the entire network, allowing more services to run on other lines and reducing system-wide delays.
• Enhanced Connectivity: The five new stations directly connect key health, education, and cultural precincts—such as the Parkville medical and research hub and the Domain arts precinct—to the rail network for the first time, significantly reducing travel times.
• Future-Proofing Melbourne: The Metro Tunnel is the foundational component for future network expansions. Its high-capacity design and scalable technology provide the necessary core infrastructure to support Melbourne’s projected population growth for decades to come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will the Melbourne Metro Tunnel open?
The Melbourne Metro Tunnel is scheduled to be fully operational in 2025. This follows an extensive phase of final testing, safety checks, and driver training to ensure a smooth integration with the wider public transport network.

Who is building the Melbourne Metro Tunnel?
The Metro Tunnel project is being delivered through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The primary consortium, known as the Cross Yarra Partnership (CYP), is responsible for financing, designing, and constructing the tunnels and stations. This consortium includes leading firms such as John Holland, CPB Contractors, and AECOM.