Engineers sought for Melbourne Metro project
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9 September 2009
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Engineers and technical designers are being sought to examine the possible alignment of a new rail tunnel as Stage 1 of the $4.5 billion Melbourne Metro infrastructure project is set in motion.
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Concept designs of new stations and opportunities for urban renewal have been unveiled, while soil and engineering testing works on the Melbourne Metro project are likely to be underway by year’s end and construction to begin in 2012.
The project, part of the $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan, would add capacity for thousands more passengers on the suburban rail network and shape the future growth of the CBD and inner Melbourne.
The new tunnel would transit via the Parkville medical precinct and provide rail access to Melbourne University with train services capable of moving 12,000 passengers every hour.
In his report on improving Melbourne’s transport connections, Sir Rod Eddington, said that central Melbourne would continue to be a large generator of jobs but said a future CBD would include Parkville, Southbank, St Kilda Road and the inner-west including Footscray.
Victorian Premier John Brumby said the proposed Melbourne Metro route creates a link through the hubs identified in the Eddington Report, connecting the growing inner west to North Melbourne and the educational and biomedical precinct at Parkville to the CBD and the expanding services industry along St Kilda Road.
“A new Parkville station would serve the thousands of tertiary students and heath care workers in the area and provide a seamless link from the inner west to the St Kilda Road precinct,” he said.
“Stations could also be constructed or redeveloped between Footscray and Parkville, the CBD, South Melbourne and Domain.
“The project will not only add capacity on Victoria’s rail network, but would help shape and define inner Melbourne, expanding the reach of the CBD, creating jobs and revitalising the inner west,” he said.
Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said the call for tenders signalled another step in the transformation of Melbourne’s rail network.
“We are planning for the future and work is already underway to change our suburban train system to a modern, metro, mass transit train network,” Ms Kosky said.
“I am delighted to say we are now starting the first stage of what will be a massive infrastructure project which will create thousands of jobs and shape the growth of inner Melbourne.”
For further information please visit www4.transport.vic.gov.au/vtp/.
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