A new high-tech visitor centre in the heart of the CBD will help Victorians learn about the progress and benefits from the Andrews Labor Government’s $11 billion Metro Tunnel Project.
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today unveiled Metro Tunnel HQ, where thousands of visitors each week will get up-to-date information about works in their area and temporary changes to the road, tram and rail networks to enable construction of this massive project.
The new visitor centre will help people understand how the biggest public transport project in Victoria’s history will revolutionise the public transport system and how much time they save on the journeys they make.
A key feature of Metro Tunnel HQ is an education program developed for Victorian teachers and available to schoolchildren across the state. They’ll be taught about the project in a way that matches the Victorian Curriculum and includes details on the construction techniques and the thousands of jobs needed.
The new centre, located opposite the Melbourne Town Hall near the Metro Tunnel’s City Square construction site, includes a dedicated learning centre. As part of the education program, school children will visit the worksite’s viewing windows along Swanston Street to see how construction of the future Town Hall Station is progressing.
Several schools from across Melbourne have already signed up to the program to learn more about the opportunities this once-in-a-generation project will create now and in the future.
Victorians will be able to drop in and have any of their questions about the Metro Tunnel answered by expert staff. Detailed information about how each metropolitan line will benefit from the project will also be available.
Visitors can put on virtual reality goggles for an up-close look at how four giant tunnel boring machines will go about their work while an interactive game offers another engaging experience for both parents and their kids.
The Metro Tunnel will create space for more trains, more often across Melbourne by building twin nine-kilometre rail tunnels and five new underground stations.
This includes stations below St Kilda Road and the Parkville medical and educational precinct, linking these areas to the train network for the first time and reducing travel times to these key destinations for every rail line. It will also create nearly 7,000 jobs, including 800 apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan.
“Metro Tunnel HQ will give schoolkids and adults a unique opportunity to learn about this once-in-a-generation project.”
“This project will help improve transport for all Victorians so it’s vital that people understand how it will benefit them and the opportunities it offers.”
Quote attributable to City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp
“Melburnians and visitors alike are fascinated by the world-leading Metro Tunnel Project and I’m delighted to see Metro Tunnel HQ open right in the heart of the city so people can learn more.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020