New Metro Tunnel completion date on cards as project races ahead of schedule

Take a look 22m underground to see how the $13.7bn Metro Tunnel rail project is taking shape as tunnellers prepare to head beneath the Yarra.

The twin 9km tunnels at the heart of the Metro Tunnel rail project are set to be completed by July, raising hopes trains will run on the new line earlier than scheduled.

Boring machines for the $13.7bn project are making fast work of challenging underground conditions, moving between South Yarra and the CBD at about 100m a week.

During an exclusive tour of Anzac Station, being built 22m underground near to the Shrine of Remembrance, the Herald Sun saw tunnel boring machine (TBM) Millie head towards the Yarra River, which she will hit from April.

At this rate, project leaders say the TBMs should finish the job by July, creating twin tunnels between South Yarra and Kensington as well as five new underground stations.

Once the core tunnels are done, cross passages and emergency exits will be built every 244m, before tracks are laid and eventually electrified by 2025 — or even earlier.

Giant rings of concrete are joined together along the tunnels after the TBMs move through, and are made watertight by special gasket seals.

The 9km twin tunnels for the Metro Rail project are set to be completed by the middle of the year Picture: Craig Hughes

At the Melbourne Metro Tunnel site Picture: Craig Hughes

The project could be finished earlier than first thought. Picture: Craig Hughes

Rail Projects Victoria deputy director of tunnels and stations, Paul Thomas, said steady progress was being made, and he praised the quality of the work done by the consortium CYP.

“We have seen consistent weekly progress of around 100m per week per TBM which is quite good in these conditions,” he said.

“We are anticipating that by July, TBM operations will be completed.

“That’s based upon our current production rates and certainly our in-depth knowledge of the geological conditions we are likely to encounter as we near completion.”

The Melbourne Metro Tunnel build continues this month, and if the current pace is maintained and no problems arise, there is a chance it could open by late 2024.

Hopes are now raised that trains will run on the new line earlier than scheduled Picture: Craig Hughes

A control area. Picture: Craig Hughes

The link was kept on track last year due to a taxpayer-funded bailout of cost overruns, which saw an extra $2.74bn added to the project’s original $11bn budget.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said in December that an agreement with CYP meant the government and builder shared the extra costs.

Ms Allan said at the time that the agreement would keep the build on track to be completed by the target date of 2025, but that there was an opportunity for works to be finished by as early as 2024.

The new Metro line will boost capacity across the network, providing an alternative to the City Loop

Slabs are moved into place. Picture: Craig Hughes

Works in the tunnel. Picture: Craig Hughes