Melbourne Metro Tunnel opens following a decade-long urban project

The long-awaited Melbourne Metro Tunnel project, designed by Hassell, Weston Williamson and Partners (WWP), and Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners (RSHP), has opened. Described by the practices as "the biggest transformation of Victoria's rail network in 40 years," the landmark urban project involved the delivery of five new underground stations: Arden in North Melbourne, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac on St Kilda Road.

According to a press release, the design team championed a line-wide approach to "creating enduring landmarks, distinctive and beautiful station interiors, and buildings and their surrounds that Melburnians will embrace with pride for generations to come."

Despite the project being primarily underground, the architects note that the five stations have been designed to ensure "that commuters remain intrinsically linked to the vibrant city above," reflecting their respective surrounds through material choices and maximising each location's unique capacity for daylighting and fresh air.

Hassell principal and head of design Mark Loughnan commented, "Respecting and integrating with their locations, each station is designed to celebrate the joy and efficiency of travel, collectively crafting a generous, uniquely new, and memorable Melbourne experience."

WWP chair Rob Naybour described the project as one "of global significance" with "passenger spaces that are truly world-class," noting that the literal and atmospheric openness that defines Melbourne's streets, laneways and public spaces was an important inspiration for the project.

"Our focus on connection and visibility ensures travellers feel part of the flow of the city - the stations are not just places of travel, but seamless extensions of Melbourne's public realm," he said.

Expansive skylights at Arden and Parkville stations provide ample daylight to the concourses, while, at Anzac Station, a large elliptical canopy located in the centre of St Kilda Road simultaneously provides light to underground connections and shelter to commuters connecting to the tram network.

The designs for the State Library and Town Hall stations, which needed to overcome greater challenges due to their CBD contexts and locations deeper underground, are described by the architects as "vast, cathedral-like spaces that evoke a feeling of airiness and grandeur."

While some material choices are a unique reflection of respective locations, like the brick integrated within Arden Station and timber language of Anzac station, together the stations are recognisable by their brightly coloured service structures and metal baffles designed to aid in wayfinding. They also each feature custom-designed, cast-metal light fixtures.

Outside, the stations deliver new public spaces, the most significant of which is the revitalised City Square adjacent to Town Hall.

RSHP senior design director Ivan Harbour commented, "As each entrance portal now emerges, it begins to reshape how this remarkable city is navigated - today and well into the future."

The new Metro Tunnel interconnects with the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, establishing a continuous rail artery from the north-west to the south-east. Strategic connections at Town Hall Station, State Library Station, Footscray Station in the north-west and Caulfield Station in the south-east also allow passengers to transfer between rail lines.

In February 2026, the project is expected to function at full operation, enabling more frequent and efficient train services across the network with the aim to ease congestion within the City Loop.

The Metro Tunnel project was delivered by the Victorian state government through the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority and its project office VIDA Metro, with the Cross Yarra Partnership (CYP) - a public private partnership consisting of Lendlease Engineering, John Holland and Bouygues Construction - as its principal contractor.

Harbour commented, "It has been a privilege to be part of the extraordinary effort by thousands of talented and skilled individuals collaborating to create Melbourne's new metro together … I hope that Melburnians enjoy riding their metro as much as we have enjoyed playing our part in its creation."