Construction work is soon to begin on the entrance to the Metro Tunnel’s underground Town Hall Station at Melbourne’s Federation Square, leading to the closure of one Flinders Street lane for four years.
To prepare for works, from 10pm last night, Flinders Street westbound between Russell and Swanston streets was fully shut, with detours via Russell, Collins, Queen and Flinders streets, and Kings Way to St Kilda Road.
Traffic flow will be reduced along Flinders Street, with one westbound lane between Russell and Swanston streets will be closed to traffic for up to four years.
“We know this is going to cause lots of disruption for commuters and we thank them for their patience as we get on with delivering this vital project,” state transport minister Jacinta Allan.
“We said we would build a Metro Tunnel station entrance on the doorstep of Federation Square and we’re getting on with it.”
To prepare for construction of the Federation Square entrance, night works will be carried out throughout October and in November between 10pm to 5am, with changes to the Flinders Street westbound traffic lanes between Russell and Swanston streets and other lane reductions and closures on Swanston Street and St Kilda Road. Traffic management will be in place during these periods, with detours available.
Following the granting of a permit by Heritage Australia for major construction at Federation Square, the former Melbourne Visitor Centre will be dismantled and demolished this week.
Concrete support columns are being drilled into the ground at the City Square construction site on the corner of Swanston and Collins streets. These will allow the new station to be built 35 metres below the CBD.
The Town Hall Station will have seven entrances: at City Square, Federation Square, the Degraves Street subway, Flinders Street, Swanston Street, Cocker Alley and Scott Alley.
