Melbourne marks Metro Tunnel handover

Three of Melbourne’s new Metro Tunnel underground stations – Arden, Parkville and Anzac – have officially been handed over to Metro Trains, marking a major step towards the opening of the $12 billion project later this year.

The latest step follows extensive testing, with trains now having clocked more than 100,000 kilometres through the twin tunnels since mid-2023 – the equivalent of two-and-a-half times around the Earth.

The handover, announced by Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams during a visit to Parkville Station, means operational staff can now begin trialling and managing the stations’ systems in preparation for passenger services.

“We’ve got the keys from the builders, now our rail workers can move in and start getting ready for passengers,” Allan said.

“The Metro Tunnel will cut congestion and get you to work, uni and home sooner – and it opens this year.”

Station staff will use the coming months to test equipment, train operations, and fine-tune station management processes.

Meanwhile, construction continues at the final two underground stations – Town Hall and State Library – which will anchor the new line beneath Melbourne’s CBD.

Williams described the project as a “game-changer” for Melbourne’s transport network.

“It will create capacity for more services and connect Victorians to jobs, education and hospitals,” she said.

Once complete, the Metro Tunnel is set to be Melbourne’s biggest rail transformation since the City Loop opened in 1981, designed to enable more frequent services on key lines and significantly improving cross-city travel.