Melbourne’s $12.6 billion Metro Tunnel Project is ramping up this winter, with the first full-day trial of operations set to shake up the city’s rail network on Saturday, 21 June. For the first time, trains on the Sunbury, Cranbourne, and Pakenham lines will run through the new tunnels—forcing passengers to swap services at Footscray and Caulfield while crews finalise works at the two underground CBD stations.
The trial will push the tunnel’s new systems to the limit, with more trains running than on a typical Saturday. Digital displays and announcements will simulate future timetables, but commuters should brace for confusion—station staff will be deployed to guide travellers through the changes.
Major rail disruptions ahead
While the new High-Capacity Metro Trains have already clocked 140,000 kilometres in testing, the extended trials will cause ripple effects across multiple lines:
- From 29 August to 5 September, buses will replace trains on the Cranbourne, Pakenham, Traralgon, and Bairnsdale lines as Suburban Rail Loop works begin at Clayton Station ahead of tunnelling in 2025.
- Sections of the Sunbury, Cranbourne, Pakenham, Frankston, and Werribee lines will also see rail replacements as testing continues for the next-generation X’Trapolis 2.0 trains.
- Hurstbridge line passengers will need to switch to buses in July as crews extend a rail tunnel for the North East Link connection.
Roadworks add to winter woes
Beyond the rails, drivers face their own challenges:
- West Gate Tunnel nears completion, but outbound lanes and ramps will close between Williamstown Road and Millers Road, with the Williamstown on-ramp and Millers Road exit shut for works.
- Bulleen Road traffic will shift to new lanes as North East Link tunnelling progresses, with a major Eastern Freeway interchange section opening in July.
- Princes Freeway commuters in Berwick will face months of closures as the Clyde Road Upgrade blocks key ramps from June to October.
Pedestrian upgrades and night works
Two new walking and cycling bridges will take shape at Estelle Street and Heyington Avenue in late August, triggering weekend shutdowns on the Eastern Freeway between Doncaster and Tram roads, plus regular night works.
With disruptions set to intensify, transport authorities urge travellers to plan ahead and check updates at bigbuild.vic.gov.au/map. As Melbourne’s infrastructure boom charges forward, patience, and a backup route, will be essential this winter.
