Current and planned transport changes
Coronavirus and Victoria’s Big Build
Work is continuing safely on the Metro Tunnel Project as part of Victoria's Big Build. The health and safety of our workforce and community remains our top priority. COVIDsafe Plans are in place on all project sites across Victoria. Learn more.
Building the massive 9km twin rail tunnels and five new underground stations will cause some unavoidable transport disruptions.
Visit the Big Build website to view details of transport disruptions from the other major transport projects currently underway.
View by type
Train line disruptions
For journey planning on public transport visit the Public Transport Victoria website.
| Dates | Lines | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 February to 30 April | Mernda | Buses will replace trains from 8.50pm until the last train service on parts of the Mernda line between 1 February to 30 April 2021. |
| 20 to 21 February | Sandringham | Buses replace trains on the Sandringham Line between South Yarra and Elsternwick from 1am Saturday 20 February to last train Sunday 21 February. Buses also replace trains from 1:30am to 3am on Sunday 21 February between Elsternwick to Sandringham stations. Express buses replace trains during the same weekend between Caulfield and Elsternwick stations. |
| 26 February to 3 March | Werribee and Williamstown | Buses replace trains on the Werribee and Williamstown lines between North Melbourne and Newport/Williamstown, including the Altona Loop, and on nights from Wednesday 3 March to Sunday 7 March between North Melbourne and Newport/Williamstown. |
| 26 February to 7 March | Sunbury | Buses replace trains between Flagstaff, North Melbourne and Sunbury stations from 9pm Friday 26 February to last train Sunday 7 March. |
| 26 February to 7 March | Bendigo | Coaches replace trains from Southern Cross to Gisborne. |
Short term disruptions
For road travel advice visit the VicRoads Traffic website.
| Timeframe | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Parkville Station, Parkville | ||
From late January 2021 | Elizabeth Street, Haymarket Roundabout and Pelham street | Lane closures from 7pm to 5am on Wednesday 27 January for up to three weeks on:
|
| Anzac Station, Domain precinct | ||
| 3 February 2021 | St Kilda Road | St Kilda Road southbound will be closed between Dorcas Street and Toorak Road on Wednesday 3 February from 9am to 3pm. A detour will be in place via Dorcas Street and Kings Way. |
| Until March 2021 | Peppercorn Lawn, on the southern edge of the Yarra River | Peppercorn Lawn will be occupied for ground improvement works associated with Metro Tunnel construction until March 2021. |
| State Library Station, Melbourne CBD | ||
From February 2020 | La Trobe Street | The eastbound lane on La Trobe Street is temporarily closed during construction hours between Elizabeth and Swanston streets. La Trobe Street eastbound lane speed limit reduction to 30kph. The dedicated eastbound bicycle lane and northern footpath on La Trobe Street adjacent to the Metro Tunnel construction site is closed. |
Long term disruptions
Long-term temporary closures are in place near our construction sites. For road travel advice visit the VicRoads Traffic website.
| Timeframe | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Western tunnel entrance, Kensington | ||
Until 2025 | Childers Street | Closed to motorists, with access restricted to residents of Childers and Tennyson streets, construction vehicles, and over-height vehicles for the Lloyd Street Business Estate. |
| Arden Station, North Melbourne | ||
From late January until late 2023 | Laurens Street | Laurens Street will be realigned to support service investigations and relocations, and construction of the Arden Station entrance. This involves the narrowing of traffic and bicycle lanes and closure of sections of footpath and on street parking. |
| Parkville Station, Parvkille | ||
From 2018 | Grattan Street (east) | Closed between Royal Parade/Elizabeth Street and Leicester Street for up to five years. |
From February 2020 | Grattan Street (west) | Closed between Flemington Road and Elizabeth Street/Royal Parade. |
| State Library Station, Melbourne CBD | ||
From February 2020 | Franklin Street | Franklin Street West between Elizabeth and Swanston streets is open to two-way traffic but reduces to one lane width when approaching Swanston Street. Consider blind spot when approaching Swanston Street. Franklin Street East to remain closed until 2022. |
From January 2017 | A'Beckett Street | Closed to road users between Swanston and Stewart streets. Pedestrian access maintained. |
| Town Hall Station, Melbourne CBD | ||
From September 2019 | Flinders Street | The left-hand turn for traffic travelling northbound on St Kilda Road into Flinders Street is closed. The Flinders Street pedestrian crossing between St Paul’s Cathedral and Federation Square temporarily closed from 3 June 2020 for up to 20 months. Flinders Street westbound changes Flinders Street closed eastbound between Swanston and Elizabeth streets for up to three years. |
| Anzac Station, Domain precinct | ||
From 2018 | St Kilda Road | Reduced to one traffic lane in each direction between Dorcas Street and Toorak Road west |
From 2018 | Domain Road | Closed between St Kilda Road and the western edge of Edmund Herring Oval. |
| Eastern tunnel entrance, South Yarra | ||
From October 2018 | William Street Bridge and Lovers Walk | Closed during construction of the eastern tunnel entrance. |