A major milestone has been reached on the Metro Tunnel project in Victoria, with the largest trial yet now complete, which included trains running a further 35,000 kilometres and taking more than 2600 trips across 10 days.
Crews have now completed more than 160 hours of ‘dress rehearsal’ works throughout the projects trial operations phase.
Construction of the Metro Tunnel consists of twin nine-kilometre tunnels connecting the Sunbury Line to the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, as well as five underground stations at Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac.
The project will help to free up capacity on the city loop and provide more trains and connections to jobs, health and education.
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The 10-day trial blitz was an opportunity for Metro Trains staff to become more familiar with the project, with another 46 train drivers trained to operate the new High Capacity Metro Trains – taking the total number of trained drivers to around 200.
These trial exercises will continue throughout the year, with more than 100 real life scenarios evaluating the projects complex systems and technology.
Only two stations remain, with works continuing on at Town Hall and State Library, directly beneath Melbourne’s CBD.
Acting Premier Ben Carroll says the project is edging closer to its opening later this year.
“Our test trains have travelled further than the distance to London and back in 10 days, passing their biggest test yet before the project opens this year – one year ahead of schedule,” Carroll said.