Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel Project is approaching its scheduled opening later this year, marking a significant milestone in the city’s transportation infrastructure development. The AUS$13 billion (US$ 8.5 billion) project will establish a new end-to-end rail connection linking Sunbury in the west to Cranbourne and Pakenham in the southeast, featuring enhanced rolling stock and five newly constructed stations.
A major achievement in the project’s final phase has been the restoration and reopening of Campbell Arcade, the iconic 1950s-era pedestrian passage that connects to Flinders Street Station. The heritage-listed arcade was temporarily closed in 2022 to facilitate construction of the underground link between Flinders Street and Town Hall stations, which will allow seamless passenger transfers without requiring tap-off procedures.
The three-year restoration process has returned Campbell Arcade to its original condition, with careful attention paid to preserving heritage elements including period display windows, granite columns, and distinctive curved tiled walls. Infrastructure improvements encompass upgraded lighting, ventilation, fire safety, and security systems to enhance pedestrian experience and safety standards.
The arcade now houses eight commercial tenancies, with new businesses expected to commence operations shortly. The restoration has also created an additional access point to Flinders Street Station via Degraves Street, improving accessibility to one of Melbourne’s highest-traffic rail terminals.
Construction milestones continue with the recent removal of the final acoustic shed at A’Beckett Street, which had been in place since 2017 during State Library Station development. These temporary structures were deployed to minimize construction noise and dust impact on surrounding areas while protecting work sites from weather conditions.
The five new Metro Tunnel stations will significantly enhance connectivity to key Melbourne destinations. Parkville Station will provide direct access to major medical facilities including The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, as well as the University of Melbourne. Anzac Station will serve the St Kilda Road business district and recreational areas including the Royal Botanic Gardens and Shrine of Remembrance.
State Library Station will connect passengers to the State Library of Victoria, RMIT University, and Queen Victoria Market, while Town Hall Station will serve as a gateway to Melbourne’s arts precinct, including Federation Square and the Arts Centre. Arden Station will anchor a new residential development, providing future residents with direct rail access to employment and educational centers.
Recent community engagement initiatives included an Open House Melbourne event at Anzac Station, offering the public advance access to view the facility’s architectural and artistic features. The experience included an audio guide developed with input from the project’s artists and architects, which will remain available to passengers when services commence.
The Metro Tunnel Project represents one of Australia’s largest public transport infrastructure investments, designed to increase network capacity and reduce congestion across Melbourne’s rail system while connecting previously underserved areas to the city center.
