Domain Road, Melbourne open again for the first time in 7 years after major Metro Tunnel works

Commuting is about to get a whole lot easier for parts of Melbourne with a major road linking the south set to reopen for the first time in seven years.

Three of five stations along the Metro Tunnel are now almost complete, prompting the reopening of a major Melbourne road — seven years on from its initial closure.

Major works are complete at Anzac Station, located next to the Shrine of Remembrance, with drivers, cyclists and pedestrians set to be welcomed back to Domain Rd next month.

In 2017, both lanes were closed between St Kilda Road and the edge of Edmund Herring Oval to make way for the mega project.

At the time, the former Andrews government said the closure would last five years, meaning it would reopen in 2022.

The former Andrews government said the road would reopen in 2022. Picture: Kylie Else

Domain Road was closed for seven years to accommodate for Metro Tunnel works. Picture: Kylie Else

Seven years on, Ms Allan on Monday thanked local residents and workers, as well as parents, students and staff at Melbourne Grammar — located on Domain Rd — for putting up with the disruption.

“This is a massive project,” she said.

“It will provide a very seamless connection into our train network, and it will also cater for the big crowds that will use this … station as a key interchange point to go to the Grand Prix to come to the Shrine on Anzac Day, and on other significant days for veterans.”

Premier Jacinta Allan said the seven-year closure allowed for works on the ‘massive’ Metro Tunnel project. Picture: Vic Gov

The station, which sits 15 metres below St Kilda Rd, features a new pedestrian underpass with access to the Shrine grounds.

As revealed by the Herald Sun last month, the initial $11 billion budget for the 9km Metro Tunnel is on track to soar past $15.5bn. As part of negotiations to alter the underground rail line’s contract, the Allan government has put another $745m on the table to get the project — which is already $3bn over budget — finished by the end of next year.

While major works were completed earlier this year at Arden and Parkville stations, the final two stations, State Library and Town Hall, are understood to be running behind schedule.

Infrastructure Minister Danny Pearson said the project would be the “single biggest change to our rail network since 1981 when the City Loop opened”.

“If you look at (Anzac) Station itself, we’ve created 22,000 square metres of space … it’s bigger than the MCG,” he said.

“That’s how big this is, 400,000 tons of soil, and what were removed to create this.”

Train testing is ongoing at the site, with operators working to ensure train doors align with the platform screen doors.

The concept design of the State Library Station entrance on Swanston Street. Picture: Supplied

The completion of the State Library Station in understood to be running behind schedule. Picture: Supplied

The Metro Tunnel is expected to open by the end of next year.

It will connect the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines through twin tunnels under the city.