The western tunnel entrance is located alongside the existing rail corridor near South Kensington Station. It includes descending tracks so that trains can enter and exit the Metro Tunnel.

From the western tunnel entrance, the project's twin tunnels pass under Moonee Ponds Creek and CityLink before connecting to the new Arden Station.

Western Tunnel Entrance map

Above ground structures

The western tunnel entrance also requires the construction of the following structures:

  • a flood wall along Childers Street and embankments
  • Communications Equipment and Signalling Equipment Rooms (CERs/SERs)
  • an emergency access and services shaft (egress building) to allow emergency crews to access the tunnels in case of emergency
  • new and upgraded public spaces at Childers Street and South Kensington Station.

Details of these structures were provided in the Western Portal Development Plans.

South Kensington Station

Upon completion of the Metro Tunnel, passengers using South Kensington Station will benefit from improved capacity and more frequent services on the Werribee and Williamstown lines.

While a new station in South Kensington or connection from the existing station to the Metro Tunnel is not in the scope of the project, we are upgrading public areas near the tunnel entrance, including:

  • upgrades to Childers Street, with a new road surface, pathways, lighting, pavement and extensive landscaping, including water-sensitive rain gardens
  • a new station forecourt and entrance canopy, including the realignment of Childers Street to create an enlarged station entrance area and improved pedestrian connections
  • a new public space next to the egress building, with bike storage racks, lighting, seating areas and extensive landscaping
  • a new pocket park at 135 Ormond Street with open space, extensive landscaping and enhanced integration with JJ Holland Park and the new station forecourt.

For information on the designs of the tunnel entrance, visit Western Portal Development Plans.

Kensington urban design

Key urban design elements

Works to upgrade and create new public spaces around Childers Street, Kensington began in 2021, and include:

  • upgrades to Childers Street, with a new road surface, pathways, lighting, pavement and extensive landscaping including water-sensitive rain gardens
  • a new station forecourt and entrance canopy, including the realignment of Childers Street to create an enlarged station entrance area and improved pedestrian connections
  • a new public space next to the egress building, with bike storage racks, lighting, seating areas and landscaping
  • a new pocket park located at 135 Ormond Street with open space, landscaping and enhanced integration with JJ Holland Park and the new station forecourt
  • 82 parking spaces, between Kensington Road and South Kensington Station, as well as 4 accessible parking bays and 2 emergency vehicle bays
  • on-street parking for vehicles retained on Childers Street between Tennyson Street and Younghusband Lane
  • a public artwork for the 300m-long flood wall protecting the western tunnel entrance.

Childers Street will close at times to support construction activities until the project is completed in 2025. The local community will be advised prior to any lane or road closures.

Legacy artwork

The Kensington flood wall with a green back ground and yellow numbers visible on it

In 2021, a permanent artwork by local artist and designer Stephen Banham, called 'One Day in Our Park', was installed on the flood wall at the western tunnel entrance.

Find out more about the artwork and the Legacy Artwork Program.

Pocket park works

In November 2022, works began to construct a new pocket park at 135 Ormond Street, north of South Kensington Station.

Featuring an open lawn area, mudstone retaining walls, garden beds and tree plantings, the new pocket park will be integrated with JJ Holland Park and new public spaces outside South Kensington Station.

Station forecourt works

In November 2022, we began to realign Childers Street and build the new forecourt outside the entrance of South Kensington Station.

The street realignment creates more space outside the station entrance for pedestrians and will enable the construction of an entrance canopy, garden beds, new lighting and improved pedestrian and cyclist connections. This includes a raised pedestrian crossing that connects the new station forecourt and pocket park.

To the west of the station, next to the egress building, is a new pedestrian area featuring a seated area, new lighting, extensive landscaping, 18 bicycle hoops, 4 accessible parking spaces and 2 emergency vehicle bays.

Communication and signalling equipment rooms

A signalling equipment room and a communications equipment room have been built adjacent the rail corridor at 1-39 Hobsons Road. These rooms host important equipment to operate trains in the Metro Tunnel. A driveway from Hobsons Road provides maintenance access to the new buildings and the existing high-voltage tower.

Key urban design elements in this area include architectural panelling surrounding the buildings, and landscaping at the corner of Kensington and Hobsons roads.