Melbourne City Square shutdown for Metro Rail Tunnel works begins

MELBOURNE’S busy City Square has officially closed for five years as major construction work starts on the Metro Rail Tunnel.

• Big shed to cover City Square for five year
• Movies, art and more for City Square shed
• Violence takes over City Square camp
• Homeless protesters rally back to square

MELBOURNE’S busy City Square has officially closed for five years as major construction work starts on the Metro Rail Tunnel.

As of today, fencing will be installed around the area and public monuments will be removed over the next few weeks to make way for a 35 metre-deep shaft that will be used to transport construction equipment and workers underground.

Melbourne’s busy City Square has officially closed for five years as major construction work starts on the Metro Rail Tunnel. Picture: David Crosling

The $10.9 billion project will connect three of Melbourne’s busiest railway lines through a new, nine-kilometre tunnel under Swanston Street through the heart of the city.

Public Transport minister Jacinta Allan and acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood said the works presented short term pain for long term gain.

“This is the beginning of years of disruption, to deliver decades of benefits – creating space to run more trains, more often right across Melbourne,” Ms Allan said.

City Square will be returned to the City of Melbourne as a public open space in 2022.

The open space will also include an entrance to a new station underneath.

“This will be a major change and disruption to our city but I am confident that we can continue to work with the Victorian Government to negotiate the best outcome for the people of Melbourne,” Cr Wood said.

“If Hong Kong, Singapore, New York and London can do it, so can Melbourne.”