Sunbury train line users are being encouraged to plan for upcoming travel disruptions, as the Metro Tunnel Project begins trial operations in a major step towards completion
This new phase of the project will simulate dozens of real-life scenarios inside the twin nine-kilometre tunnels and stations, including station and train evacuations.
Workers will also trial services through the tunnel from Sunbury to Cranbourne and Pakenham and between Hawksburn and West Footscray.
Buses will replace trains on the Sunbury Line between Sunshine and North Melbourne during the weekend from December 14–15 and then for 10 days between January 2–11.
Normal services will resume in time for the opening day of the Australian Open on Sunday, January 12.
Disruptions are expected to continue intermittently throughout the first half of 2025.
Travel and Infrastructure Minister Danny Pearson said it will be a “huge summer of works” as crews prepare to open the Metro Tunnel next year.
Once opened, Sunbury Line trains will no longer run through the City Loop but instead in the new tunnel, with more frequent services and five new underground stations.
Sunbury passengers will be able to interchange between the Metro Tunnel and City Loop at Town Hall to Flinders Street and State Library to Melbourne Central via underground pedestrian connections.
They will also have direct rail access via Parkville Station to Parkville’s hospitals and Melbourne University and to St Kilda Road via Anzac Station.
Buses will also replace trains on sections of the Sunbury Line from 8.30pm on December 4 to the last service on December 12 during construction works relating to the removal of the Old Calder Highway level crossing.
