The light at the end of the Metro Tunnel project may be closer than expected as the Victorian government announces the completion of another key stage in the project.
Earlier this week, the state government announced the completion of the Sunbury Line Upgrade.
This puts the Metro Tunnel on track to be opened in 2025, a full year ahead of schedule.
Victoria's big infrastructure and housing projects often mean developers compete with the state government for much needed construction labour.
As parts of the state's projects get completed, it could signal the opportunity for developers to hire labour to progress their projects further.
Upgrade works to the Sunbury Line totalled $1.8 billion and have now been completed six months ahead of schedule.
“The Sunbury Line Upgrade has been completed six months ahead of schedule – it means less congestion for the Sunbury community, one more level crossing gone for good, and bigger trains set to run on the Sunbury Line when the Metro Tunnel opens,” Victorian premier Daniel Andrews said.
The new tracks now connect the line to the western entrance to the Metro Tunnel in Kensington.
South Yarra’s eastern entrance to the tunnel was connected to the Cranbourne-Pakenham line in January this year.
More than 300m of track were built to connect the line to the entrance with signalling and power equipment also installed and tested.
Construction and works for the Sunbury Line Upgrade stage began in 2019 and also included new substations, platform extensions for eight stations, new wheelchair boarding pads and train stabling upgrades at Sunbury, Calder Park and Watergardens.
Seven level crossings were also removed to make the line boom gate-free with the Gap Road level crossing, one of Sunbury’s worst traffic bottlenecks, also removed three years earlier than previously planned.
“This is another step in building a better Sunbury – removing the Gap Road level crossing, upgrading Sunbury Road and preparing the line for more frequent, reliable trains for local passengers,” local member for Sunbury, Josh Bull said.
There are now 97km of continuous track from Melbourne’s north-west to its south-east through the two new nine-kilometre rail tunnels under the city.
Passengers can now travel all the way from Sunbury to Cranbourne or Pakenham without switching trains and get access to five new underground stations when the tunnel opens to the public.
