The Metro Tunnel’s new Anzac Station 22 metres under St Kilda Road is taking shape, with the final wall and roof structures now in place for the long-awaited rail connection on the busy road.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today visited the project site, which is taking shape after three years of underground construction while trams, traffic, cyclists and pedestrians continued using St Kilda Road.
Anzac Station is a hub for the project’s tunnelling operations in the east, and formed the starting point for two tunnel boring machines that tunnelled to South Yarra and are now heading towards the CBD on their final leg – with the project a year ahead of schedule, set for completion in 2025.
When construction is complete, the area will be a heavily patronised transport hub, with the Metro Tunnel cutting the daily commute to and from St Kilda Road by up to 50 minutes – providing turn-up-and-go services just two minutes from the CBD, 10 minutes from Parkville, and eventually direct services to Melbourne Airport.
A fully accessible tram super-stop will also sit in the middle of the road, connecting passengers to the underground station below. To keep cyclists safely separated from other traffic, ‘Copenhagen’, or protected kerbside bike lanes, will be built on St Kilda Road in each direction between Dorcas Street and Toorak Road.
Cyclists will be able to ride two abreast, protected from the risk of car dooring by a one-metre wide concrete separator. Parking spaces will be built alongside the concrete separator, next to two traffic lanes.
Further planning is underway that will provide options for safe cycle lanes along the rest of the St Kilda Road corridor, leveraging the new separated lanes delivered by the City of Melbourne.
The new layout will be safer for cyclists by physically separating them from traffic, also keeping pedestrians safer as they get on and off trams at what will be one of the city’s busiest tram stops in the centre of the road – with fewer lanes to cross when heading to and from Anzac Station.
Residents, businesses and other local groups are encouraged to provide feedback on the plans later this year – with an updated Development Plan for the station precinct that is expected to see almost 40,000 people a day getting to business precincts and the growing residential areas on St Kilda Road, Kings Way and in South Melbourne.
The station will be a landmark in itself with its unique floating wooden canopy design, becoming a gateway to major cultural destinations like the Shrine of Remembrance, Royal Botanic Gardens, Arts Centre precinct and Albert Park.
Anzac Station will take the pressure off the St Kilda Road/Swanston Street tram route – the busiest in the world. An integrated tram interchange and a pedestrian underpass will also allow commuters to move safely between transport modes and safely cross into the Shrine Grounds and Albert Road Reserve when the Metro Tunnel opens.
Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“Anzac Station will be a central hub for public transport in the St Kilda Road precinct – delivering safe and convenient options to change between trains and trams and visit popular tourist destinations on this historic boulevard.”
Quote attributable to Member for Albert Park Martin Foley
“We're delivering seamless connections for our locals, who will soon have more options to get around by train, tram, bike, car, and on foot - and we’re ensuring cyclists have a smoother, safer journey to and from the CBD.”
Quote attributable to Member for Southern Metropolitan Region Nina Taylor
“Anzac Station will be part of the vital St Kilda Road transport hub, making it easier to get to some of our city’s most exciting cultural destinations, important business precincts and growing residential communities.”
Reviewed 14 March 2021