The last two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) on the Metro Tunnel Project are now in the ground, helping to build our state’s biggest public transport project and keeping Victorians in work.

The third TBM, Millie – named after Victoria’s first female MP Millie Peacock – is digging the first 1.7 kilometre tunnel between Anzac Station and the Metro Tunnel’s eastern entrance at South Yarra.

The fourth TBM, Alice, is named after wartime medical hero Alice Appleford and is due to begin work on the second tunnel from the site under St Kilda Road in the coming weeks.

Creating some 7000 jobs over the life of the project, the Metro Tunnel is a critical piece of the puzzle in keeping Victorians in work and our state on-track for recovery.

The Metro Tunnel Project has strict protocols in place for the safety of workers, allowing these vital works to continue and protecting thousands of jobs.

The components of TBMs Millie and Alice began arriving onsite in late 2019. Assembly started in January and both have undergone comprehensive commissioning and testing.

Construction on Anzac Station, which will be 300 metres long and sit 22 metres below St Kilda Road, is continuing. The first two TBMs, Joan and Meg, broke through at the western tunnel entrance in February – with the pair travelling 1.2 kilometres to complete the first section of the tunnel.

They were then returned to Arden Station by trucking parts back to the site and pulling the gantries through the tunnel, where they began their 1.8km journey to Parkville Station.

Lots of progress is happening across all sites, with the excavation of the station box at Parkville completed in April.

Three roadheaders are excavating deep under Swanston and Flinders streets to construct the central cavern of Town Hall Station, and tunnelling of the twin tunnels in the CBD – at the site of the new State Library Station – will get underway mid-year.

The Victorian Government is working closely with our Big Build workforce, construction partners and unions to ensure works on our vital road and rail projects can continue safely.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

“Just as we’re facing an unprecedented health challenge, we’re facing an unprecedented economic challenge too. Our Big Build will be vital as we recover after the pandemic has passed.”

“The Metro Tunnel team are doing an amazing job finding practical, safe ways of working, so we can continue building this urgently needed project in challenging circumstances.”

“We’ll keep working closely with our workforce, construction partners and unions to protect the safety of workers – and project jobs.”