Metro Tunnel: Melbourne’s MCG-sized new train station is complete
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09.09.2024

Metro Tunnel: Melbourne’s MCG-sized new train station is complete

Metro Tunnel
Words by Staff Writer

Major construction is completed on Anzac Station, the third of five Metro Tunnel stations, with a massive footprint. 

The Victorian government is another step closer to connecting the iconic St Kilda Road precinct to Melbourne’s train network for the first time with the third Metro Tunnel station completed.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson today announced major works are finished on Anzac Station – which will connect passengers to jobs, schools and iconic destinations including the Shrine of Remembrance, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park.

The third Metro Tunnel is complete

  • Sitting 15 metres below St Kilda Rd, Anzac Station features soaring skylights
  • 14 metres wide and 290 metres long, the underground footprint is bigger than the MCG
  • Domain Road is also expected to open next month

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Sitting 15 metres below St Kilda Rd, Anzac Station features soaring skylights filling the station with natural light and four entrances linking to a new pedestrian underpass beneath St Kilda Rd, including lift access to the Shrine grounds.

The station’s platforms are 14 metres wide and 290 metres long – and all up, Anzac Station has an underground footprint that’s larger than the MCG.

At its peak, around 450 workers were onsite every day building the state-of-the-art station – installing 12 escalators, Victorian-first screen doors and realigning St Kilda Road four times.

With the completion of major construction, Domain Road is also expected to open to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers next month – after being shut since 2017.

The Anzac Station tram stop opened in 2022 and has extra-long platforms that can fit four trams at a time to accommodate large crowds attending major events including Anzac Day and the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

The stop is Melbourne’s first direct tram and train interchange – with Anzac Station taking pressure off the world’s busiest tram corridor and delivering a seamless connection between tram and train services.

Victoria’s veterans will forever be linked with the name and place of Anzac Station, which will help thousands of people get to the Shrine for significant commemorations throughout the year. The Government is working with the Shrine to make sure Australian servicemen and women past and present are honoured as part of the Station.

The Metro Tunnel will connect the busy Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines through twin tunnels under the city, creating an end-to-end rail line with 97kms of continuous track from the north-west to the south-east – freeing up space in the City Loop and creating capacity to run more trains more often.

“The Metro Tunnel is the biggest transformation of Melbourne’s train network in four decades – three stations are done, there’s two more to go, and we’re a year ahead of schedule,” Premier Jacinta Allan said.

“The Metro Tunnel will deliver Victorians – particularly those coming from the west and the south east – a quicker commute and an easier way to get around Melbourne,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson added.

Find out the latest Metro Tunnel news here.