CBD roads to be closed for years as Melbourne Metro Tunnel construction begins

For the first time, sections of Franklin and A’Beckett streets were closed as early works, including tree removal, began at the site of the new CBD North Station.

The closures could remain in place for up to five years.

“The exact timing we are working through at the moment with the tender process,” Melbourne Metro Rail Authority chief executive Evan Tattersall said.Construction crews are set to dig 11 storeys below Swanston Street to build the new station, which will have its entrances opposite Melbourne City Baths and at the corner of Swanston and La Trobe streets.It will be linked to the nearby Melbourne Central Station.Franklin Street is closed to vehicle traffic between Swanston and Victoria streets, and A’Beckett Street is closed between Swanston and Stewart streets.

To create a new traffic lane, parking spots near intersections on La Trobe Street between Exhibition and King streets are being removed

There will also be a “no-stopping” zone introduced eastbound on Victoria Street between Leicester and Nicholson streets in the mornings.

Acting Public Transport Minister Jaala Pulford said while the closures would be disruptive, they would enable the government to construct “the turn-up-and-go train system we need to stay the most liveable city in the world”.

“Thirty or so years ago Melburnians had to endure some disruption for the existing infrastructure to be built,” Ms Pulford said.

“I think everyone is more than able to manage this again.”

Monday also marks the beginning of lengthy road works and traffic delays for the St Kilda Road precinct that will last years and likely involve the removal of more than 100 trees.

An artist’s impression of the planned CBD North rail station. Photo: Squint/Opera

Later this month, eight “juvenile” trees will go, although some of the mature elms lining St Kilda Road will be spared in the area – for now.

The government argues it can complete the early works for the Metro Tunnel “with no significant long-term impact on the heritage values of St Kilda Road”.

It has promised to replace mature trees with “super-advanced specimens”, and has argued the loss of trees that will regrow in time is worth it for the rail tunnel.

The tunnel project will see two nine-kilometre tunnels built from South Kensington to South Yarra, and five new underground railway stations in North Melbourne, Parkville, the CBD and at Domain by the Shrine.

Later this year, St Kilda Road will be reconfigured to one lane in each direction between Dorcas Street and Toorak Road – for three years while the new Domain Station is built. About 30,000 vehicles use St Kilda Road every day.

Planning Minister Richard Wynne approved plans for the rail tunnel just before Christmas.

Locals concerned over the removal of trees on St Kilda Road say a deeper tunnel could avoid the losses.

Winston Broadbent lives on St Kilda Road and has followed the project closely.

Work has begun on leafy St Kilda Road. Photo: Paul Jeffers

He said the “cut and cover” method of construction the government planned would decimate St Kilda Road’s trees.

“It will leave St Kilda Road devastated,” he said, arguing that instead of burrowing at a depth of just 15 metres from above, contractors should go deeper to protect the boulevard.

More than 2500 people have lodged objections with Heritage Victoria, which is considering how the plan will affect St Kilda Road’s heritage-listed streetscape.

“This is a planning process that puts the cart before the horse,” the opposition’s planning spokesman David Davis said.

“Proceeding with early works on Monday is inconsistent with the planning minister’s promise to reconsider the location,” he said.

“It’s either window dressing and confusion, or a deliberate attempt to deceive the community.”

Ms Pulford said Mr Davis and the former Napthine government had “wasted four years doing nothing on this project and are now complaining about us getting on with it”.