The massive Melbourne Metro projects, which will fundamentally change the transport infrastructure of Melbourne, the capital of the state of Victoria, have reached an important stage with the latest developments. The unveiling of new station designs and the handover of completed tunnel stations to the government show that the city is taking firm steps towards achieving a modern and efficient public transport system.
Mordialloc Station to Become a Renewal: Level Crossings Become a History
The Level Crossing Removal Project, which is being carried out as part of the Big Build project that aims to ease transportation in Melbourne’s southern suburbs, has shared its final design for Mordialloc Station with the public. This comprehensive project aims to both increase road safety and ensure the smooth flow of train traffic by removing dangerous level crossings on suburban lines. In addition, these works aim to create new development areas in suburban areas.
The new design for Mordialloc Station eliminates three critical level crossings in the area – McDonald Street, Mordialloc and Station Street, Aspendale – while providing improved safety measures and modern amenities for passengers. Construction of a massive rail bridge is currently underway to upgrade the station and permanently close the crossings. Once the project is complete, the Bear Street crossing will also be closed to traffic.
As well as its upgraded new entrances and contemporary facilities, the Mordialloc Station project will also significantly improve accessibility and the surrounding public space. More than 1.000 new trees and 85.000 native plants will be planted along Station Street to create a green corridor. The existing historic station building and iconic water tower will be retained, while respecting the project’s cultural heritage. The modern station, scheduled to open in 2026, is a key part of a wider plan to phase out all level crossings on the Frankston Line.
Metro Tunnel Stations Handed Over to Government: Countdown to Opening
Exciting developments are also underway on the Melbourne Metro Tunnel project. The keys to the first three underground stations on the project, Parkville, Arden and Anzac, have been officially handed over to the Victorian Government. This significant delivery means the countdown has begun for the tunnel to open later this year.
Metro Rail staff are currently conducting intensive operational trials at Parkville Station ahead of the opening. These trials are being carried out to ensure the station is ready for daily operations. Simultaneously, rail workers are also meticulously preparing Arden and Anzac stations for management and system operation.
Since mid-2023, trains have travelled more than 100.000 kilometres in the newly constructed tunnel, rigorously testing the reliability and performance of equipment and systems. Testing is also ongoing on the future continuous line, which will run from Sunbury under Melbourne’s CBD to Cranbourne and Pakenham. This extensive testing is expected to lead to planned outages on some lines in mid-April. Construction is also well underway on the massive underground stations under City Hall and the State Library in the heart of Melbourne.
The Metro Tunnel project represents Melbourne’s largest upgrade of the rail network since the opening of the City Loop in 1981. Once completed, the project will open five new, modern underground stations in the heart of Melbourne, significantly improving connectivity between commuter lines.
Sydney Metro West Airport Line Takes Shape: A Comparative Look
Similar transport projects are also underway in Sydney, another major metropolis in Australia. In parallel with developments in Victoria, construction of the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney International Airport line is also progressing rapidly. The first track laying of this 23-kilometre metro rail line, which will provide a direct connection to the new airport, took place in the Luddenham area, just north of a rail bridge that will cross the future M12 motorway.
Work in Sydney is progressing at a similar pace to Melbourne, with teams of up to 60 workers a day laying between 70 and 100 metres of track. The project will use more than 106,8 tonnes of Australian-made rail steel along the 6.400 kilometre route, including rails at the storage and maintenance facility in Orchard Hills, and is also contributing to the local economy. Each 20 metre-long section of rail is manufactured in South Australia and then shipped to Newcastle before being transported to Luddenham South for installation. The Sydney Metro West Airport Line is scheduled for completion in mid-2026.
These massive metro projects in Melbourne and Sydney represent significant steps towards meeting the future transport needs of Australia’s largest cities and improving the quality of life in the city. The developments in both cities clearly demonstrate a commitment to a modern, efficient and sustainable public transport system.
