Flinders Street will be reduced to one traffic lane westbound alongside Federation Square in Melbourne, as work gets underway on the new underground Town Hall Station as part of the Metro Tunnel project.
Victorian public transport minister Jacinta Allan said work to build an entrance at Federation Square for the new underground station would commence shortly, with relevant approvals in place, and traffic changes planned.
Flinders Street will be reduced by one traffic lane westbound between Russell and Swanston streets for up to four years.
Allan said the lane closure was needed because Federation Square sits over a working railway, and the deck cannot withstand the weight of the massive machinery needed to build the station.
Drivers will still have one left-turning lane from Flinders Street into St Kilda Road, and one lane travelling ahead.
Allan said motorists should allow up to 15 minutes of extra time if travelling through this stretch of Flinders Street.
“These works will be disruptive but they are absolutely necessary to build the Metro Tunnel as safely and quickly as possible,” Allan said. “We are getting on with building the urgently needed Metro Tunnel, so thousands of people can get to and from the suburbs every day.”
The Government has committed to maintain pedestrian access around the intersection and to Federation Square’s businesses, restaurants, cafes and bars.
Bicycle access will also be maintained, with the St Kilda Road bike lane realigned, Allan noted.
Following the completion of piling works, an acoustic shed will be built over the worksite to reduce noise, dust and light from 24/7 excavation and tunnelling.
The consortium building the station, Cross Yarra Partnership, has lodged a heritage permit application for works.