Current and planned transport changes
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.
For journey planning on public transport visit the Public Transport Victoria website. For road travel visit the VicRoads Traffic website.
January 2020
Summer works – Buses replace trains
Cranbourne/Pakenham, Frankston, Sandringham and Gippsland lines
- Trains
- Regional trains
From 2 to 30 January, buses will replace trains on the Cranbourne/Pakenham and Frankston lines between Flinders Street and Caulfield. Coaches will replace trains on the Gippsland line between Bairnsdale/Traralgon and Southern Cross.
From Saturday 4 to Tuesday 14 January bus replacements on the Cranbourne/Pakenham line will extend to Westall and replacements on the Frankston line will extend to Moorabbin.
December 2019
Buses replace trains
Mernda line
- Trains
Buses will replace trains on sections of the Mernda line from 7.30pm Tuesday 3 December to last train Sunday 15 December 2019 for Level Crossing Removal Project and Metro Tunnel works.
During December 2019
St Kilda Road - Intermittent closures
Domain
- Motorists
Overnight closures of St Kilda Road will be required for the delivery of Tunnel Boring Machine parts to the Anzac Station site.
Between 1am and 5am on 16 and 17 December, St Kilda Road will be partially closed in both directions:
- Southbound from Dorcas Street to Toorak Road West
- Northbound from Albert Road North to Park Street
St Kilda Road traffic will be diverted to Kings Way. Tram services will be unaffected and local access to residential apartments and businesses will be maintained.
From 8 November 2019
Royal Parade – four week lane closure
Parkville
- Motorists
- Pedestrians
- Cyclists
The northbound service lane on Elizabeth Street/Royal Parade will be closed for approximately four weeks from Friday 8 November. Access to hospitals, including for emergency services, and businesses will be maintained at all times.
From September 2019
Flinders Street – long-term lane closures
Melbourne CBD
- Motorists
- Pedestrians
Flinders Street closed eastbound between Swanston and Elizabeth streets for up to three years.
August 2019
Flinders Street – overnight closures
Melbourne CBD
- Motorists
- Pedestrians
Flinders Street closed in both directions between Swanston and Elizabeth streets from 8pm to 6am from Sunday to Thursday.
From May 2019
La Trobe Street – lane closures
Melbourne CBD
- Motorists
- Cyclists
- Pedestrians
Staged eastbound lane closures on La Trobe Street between Swanston and Elizabeth streets. Detours in place for motorists and cyclists.
Until late 2019
Franklin Street – lane closures
Melbourne CBD
- Motorists
Between Swanston and Stewart streets, eastbound lane closed 7am-3pm Monday to Saturday until 9 December 2019, and westbound lane closed until late 2019.
From February 2019
Stewart Street – one-way southbound
Melbourne CBD
- Motorists
Stewart Street has been reconfigured to one-way southbound.
From 2018
Grattan Street – long-term closure
Parkville
- Motorists
- Pedestrians
- Cyclists
Closed to road users between Royal Parade/Elizabeth Street and Leicester Street.
From October 2018
Flinders Street – long-term lane reduction
Melbourne CBD
- Motorists
- Pedestrians
Flinders Street reduced by one lane westbound between Russell and Swanston streets. Footpath closure and pedestrian detour in place at Federation Square.
From 2018
Barry Street – long-term closure
Parkville
- Motorists
- Cyclists
- Pedestrians
Closed to road users between Pelham Street and Grattan Street.
From January 2017
A'Beckett Street – long-term closure
Melbourne CBD
- Motorists
- Pedestrians
Closed to road users between Swanston and Stewart streets. Pedestrian access maintained.
From 2018
St Kilda Road – long-term lane reduction
Domain Precinct
- Motorists
St Kilda Road has been reduced to one traffic lane in each direction between Dorcas Street and Toorak Road west.
From 2018
Domain Road – long-term closure
Domain Precinct
- Motorists
Closed between St Kilda road and the western edge of Edmund Herring Oval.
Until 2025
Childers Street – long-term closure
Kensington
- Motorists
- Cyclists
- Pedestrians
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.
From October 2018
Lovers Walk – long-term closure
South Yarra
- Pedestrians
Lovers Walk is closed during construction. Pedestrians can detour via Toorak Road or Chapel Street.
From October 2018
William Street Bridge – long-term closure
South Yarra
- Motorists
- Cyclists
- Pedestrians
William Street Bridge has been demolished. The bridge will be re-built over the widened rail corridor and re-opened when construction at the Eastern Portal is complete.