First trains test Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel

*Metro Tunnel route (image from www.bigbuild.vic.gov.au)*

It was announced on Tuesday that the first test trains entered Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel.

Metro Tunnel is a new twin 9-kilometer metro project that will connect Melbourne’s existing Sunbury line with the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, located respectively in the city’s western suburbs and southeastern corridor, through five new stations.

Furthermore, two next-generation High Capacity Metro Trains ran a 1.7 kilometer distance in the twin tunnels from the South Yarra tunnel entrance to the Anzac Station, at speeds ranging from 5 to 25 km/h.

This first run marks the beginning of a series of tests, which will stretch into 2024 to ensure the Metro Tunnel’s safety and readiness to open in 2025, a year ahead of schedule.

Finally, the project’s final budget is expected to reach A$12.6 billion as Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, assured during his tour at the Anzac Station.

Sources: bigbuild.vic.gov.au, www.3aw.com.au, au.news.yahoo.com