Metro Tunnel: Hundreds of trucks to clog Melbourne city streets

Melbourne motorists can expect delays along Flinders St from September as parts of the busy street are closed off while up to 100 big rigs spill in and out of the Metro Tunnel site carrying excavated material.

More than 400 trucks loaded with Metro Tunnel dirt will be rumbling though Melbourne each day when construction peaks next year.

Parts of busy Flinders St will be closed to traffic from September 2 as up to 100 big rigs spill in and out of the site next to the Young and Jackson hotel daily.

Motorists have been warned to ­expect delays, with the city’s heart about to become ground zero for the $11 billion project.

There are about 200 trucks now accessing all five worksites across the project every day. But Metro Tunnel documents show this number is ­expected to more than double over the next 12 months as excavation ramps up in the CBD.

The potentially disruptive trucking operation is needed to clear five million tonnes of rock and soil from the 9km twin rail tunnel.

Excavated material will be hauled towards disposal sites in outer suburbs, including a facility at Bulla, on 11, 28 and 32-tonne trucks. Reusable material from South Yarra, Domain and Parkville is being used on roads maintenance projects in the western and southeastern suburbs.

Crews will work around the clock to dig up thousands of tonnes of dirt in time for the arrival of massive tunnel boring machines.

The ramp-up is the next major challenge for authorities as they work to ensure the CBD stays open.

The Metro Tunnel project in the CBD. Picture: Ian Currie

Metro Tunnel construction on Swanston St in Melbourne. Picture: Ian Currie

Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel work at Federation Square. Picture: Ian Currie

Metro Tunnel workers at the City Square site. Picture: Ian Currie

Workers at the City Square site. Picture: Ian Currie

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the City of Melbourne had been working with Rail Projects Victoria for more than a decade to plan for the impacts of the works.

“Disruption is inevitable, but will be minimised wherever possible,” she said.

“There will be more trucks on roads such as Swanston Street, Exhibition Street and Collins Street as construction of the Town Hall station progresses and the eastbound lanes on Flinders Street are closed.

“The Metro Tunnel is a massive project that will have equally huge benefits for our city. When completed, it will allow more people to easily access and enjoy the city and reduce road congestion in the CBD.”

Ms Capp said it was important people be patient as construction work for the project ramps up.

“We want people to continue to come into the city for business or to enjoy our cafes, restaurants, bars and shopping,” she said.

“We’re confident that proper measures have been put in place to ensure community safety with more truck movements through the city.”

Closing parts of Flinders St and directing trucks south will halve the amount of vehicles, affecting trams, pedestrians and cyclists on Swanston St.

Metro Tunnel’s transaction director for tunnels and stations Linda Cantan said visitors would notice more happening around the city, but the project would be well managed.

“There will definitely be more happening,” she said. “We have being doing a lot of work on managing truck routes.

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“There’s certainly a peak (for truck movements) within the CBD.

“That would probably occur this time next year.”

Ms Cantan said they would use designated holding areas to keep trucks out of the way until it was time to pick up tonnes of dirt.

“There’s a logistics exercise to this and they only call the trucks up when they’re ready for them,” she said.

“The most notable difference will be at CBD South.

“If you walk down there during the daylight hours you will see truck movements.”

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