Complex operation under way to build escape routes for Metro Tunnel
As the $11 billion Metro Tunnel project gathers pace, escape routes, in the form of tunnels up to 15m long, are being built in case of fire or rail disaster so emergency services can get to people in need.
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Dozens of escape tunnels are being built under Melbourne as part of the massive Metro rail project.
The tunnels — up to 15m long — will be used in case of fire or rail disaster. Emergency services could also use them to get to people in need.
It comes as construction on the $11 billion project gathers pace and images show the all-out operation under way at Domain.
The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal 26 emergency passages will run every 250m along the twin 9km rail tunnels.
They will be about 4m wide and link the rail tunnels so passengers can walk to one of five underground stations or emergency exits.
Escape routes will include areas under Swanston St, Lonsdale St, Bourke St and St Kilda Rd.
Tunnels under Alexandra Gardens are expected to be the most challenging to build. Strengthening will be performed on the south side of the Yarra River — focusing on the heritage-listed Peppercorn Lawn area near the rowing sheds.
“We will minimise the inconvenience as much as possible to pedestrians and cyclists who use this area daily,” Rail Projects Victoria chief executive Evan Tattersall told the Sunday Herald Sun.
“It’s all part of our works to get on with the Metro Tunnel project that will untangle the City Loop and these works demonstrate the construction progress being made on all fronts.”
An application to begin work at Alexandra Gardens — to include a concrete support wall to prevent the escape route collapsing — will open for public comment on Wednesday.
If Heritage Victoria approves works, they would begin in the middle of this year and take up to a year.
Businesses and rowing clubs will still able to use Boathouse Drive.
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Escape routes outside the CBD will be built under Errol St in North Melbourne, Flemington Rd in Parkville and Toorak Rd in South Yarra.
The Sunday Herald Sun last week visited the Domain construction site where two massive boring machines are being built to start tunnelling towards the project’s southern entrance.
Meanwhile, the first boring machine has dug 850m under North Melbourne and a second machine has burrowed through 500m of earth.