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Melbourne Metro Tunnel’s third borer has started digging at Domain

A 1100-tonne machine is now tunnelling towards South Yarra in a significant turning point for Melbourne’s $11 billion Metro Tunnel Project. SEE THE PICS.

Metro Tunnel hits milestone

AN 1100-tonne digger is now tunnelling under Domain in another significant turning point for Melbourne’s $11 billion Metro project.

Millie, the Metro Tunnel’s third machine, was switched on over the weekend and is now working its way underground towards the rail lines in South Yarra.

It was named after Victoria’s first female MP, Millie Peacock, and will shortly be followed by another borer named after wartime medical hero Alice Appleford.

Tunnel boring machines at the bottom of the Anzac Station site have been assembledand are ready to begin tunnelling. Picture: Ian Currie
Tunnel boring machines at the bottom of the Anzac Station site have been assembledand are ready to begin tunnelling. Picture: Ian Currie

Rail Projects Victoria chief executive Evan Tattersall said by the middle of the year there would be four tunnel boring machines all working their way deep beneath Melbourne’s busy streets.

“I’ve been here since the start of 2015 so it has been a long time to get to the stage we are at now,” he said.

“Not only do you have major work on the tunnels underway but the five new stations are also starting to take shape and resemble the impressive structures they will become.

“We are on track for that 2025 completion date.”

Multi Service Vehicle Driver Chips is pictured in the drivers cabin for TBM Millie. Picture: Ian Currie
Multi Service Vehicle Driver Chips is pictured in the drivers cabin for TBM Millie. Picture: Ian Currie

Mr Tattersall said strict measures were in place to make sure the project could continue amid coronavirus restrictions.

“It is good news that we can continue to operate at a time when we are really picking up steam,” he said.

“The only difficulty was the separation of teams but we have worked through that.

“In the construction industry these guys are used to wearing protective gear and we have been able to use this discipline for COVID-19 protection.”

Reduced traffic and lower public transport usage has also allowed rail upgrades to continue and movements in and out of worksites to go on with little disruption.

The concrete circular tunnel walls are stacked above ground. Picture: Ian Currie
The concrete circular tunnel walls are stacked above ground. Picture: Ian Currie

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the milestone had come as the project’s first two machines, Joan and Meg, had finished the first stretch of tunnel out to Kensington.

“The Metro Tunnel team are making amazing progress – they’ve excavated the station box at Parkville, we have three road headers at work deep under Swanston and Flinders St, and we will see tunnelling start underneath the city in the coming months,” she said.

“We’ve worked hard with the Metro Tunnel team and unions to see works continue on this vital project – that will deliver more trains, more often and supports local jobs.”

kieran.rooney@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/melbourne-metro-tunnels-third-borer-has-started-digging-at-domain/news-story/56f199d903628406a4576f7a3ed243db