Chief Executive briefs on Melbourne Metro Project Thursday, 19 November 2015

Lachlan Lee-Archer, Chair of Transport Australia Society’s Victoria Branch covers a recent CEO briefing from Melbourne Metro Rail Authority.

The Melbourne Metro Rail Project was the topic of discussion at one of the Transport Australia Society’s (TAs) first CPD seminars on 28 October. TAs is a new a technical society of Engineers Australia, which seeks to influence key transport decisions.

Together with the Australian Tunnelling Society, TAs hosted Melbourne Metro Rail Authority’s CEO Evan Tattersall, and one of the Authority’s consultant advisors, David Anderson.

Melbourne Metro is one of the largest infrastructure projects ever undertaken in Australia, and Mr Tattersall noted that the need for the project is driven by projections that Melbourne's population will double by 2051 and the associated jobs and transportation needs that flow from this growth.

Melbourne Metro will connect the Sunbury and Pakenham/Cranbourne lines via two new 9km tunnels with five new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South and Domain.

Mr Tattersall explained that by removing two of Melbourne’s busiest rail lines from the City Loop and running them through the new tunnels, more trains can be run on other lines that will continue to use the existing network. Mr Tattersall also advised that Melbourne Metro is the key to creating independent train lines in Melbourne, and will ultimately help to avoid the 'ripple effect' of a delay on one line being felt across the network.

Mr Anderson explained the construction methods that are likely to be used for the project, including tunnel boring machines to complete tunnels in between stations, ‘cut and cover’ station boxes for the Arden, Parkville and Domain stations, and 'cavern' stations for the two CBD stations. Mr Tattersall explained the cavern station construction will allow Swanston Street to remain open while the city’s newest rail line is built below ground - a significant reduction in disruption to traders, trams users and the public.

Are you interested in transport’s impact on national wellbeing, productivity and sustainability, and particularly critical infrastructure projects that drive our economy?

If so, I invite you to join the Transport Australia Society and be part of its events planned for the remainder of 2015 and in 2016. To find out more, visit the TAs website.

Next event in Melbourne: Transport - A Year in Review, Tuesday 24 November 2015.