The Metro Tunnel Project is heating up this winter as it undertakes a full day of trial operations on Melbourne’s rail network for the very first time.
On Saturday June 21, all the new systems and infrastructure for the tunnel will be tested for an extended period of time – with more trains set to run throughout the day compared to a usual Saturday timetable.
Trains running on the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will be travelling through the Metro Tunnel – so passengers will need to interchange at Footscray and Caulfield to complete their journey, as crews continue works in the two new CBD stations.
Information displays on the trains and platforms will reflect future services, so station staff will be out in force to help people understand how their journey is affected – and passengers are urged to pay careful attention to live announcements.
The project’s new high-capacity trains have already travelled more than 140,000 kilometres inside the twin tunnels, and while the trials continue there will be disruptions on the Sunbury, Cranbourne, Pakenham and Gippsland lines.
The completion of another major tunnel project will also cause disruptions through winter, with final works on the West Gate Tunnel leading to outbound lane and ramp closures on the West Gate Freeway.
Outbound travel will be reduced to three lanes between Williamstown Road and Millers Road, with the Williamstown outbound onramp to be closed, along with the Millers Road exit ramp.
The removal of two more level crossings in the north west and testing of the locally built X’Trapolis 2.0 trains will continue, resulting in buses replacing trains on sections of the Sunbury, Werribee, Cranbourne, Pakenham and Frankston lines.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams said after enduring years of disruption during the construction phase, motorists and commuters would soon experience the benefits of these major projects.
“A huge amount of work is underway this winter, with the finish line in sight for Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel – city-shaping projects that will ease congestion and cut travel times,” Ms Williams said.
