A stunning concourse in what is set to become a landmark new train station in the Melbourne CBD has been unveiled. (above image: Victoria Big Build)

The Victorian Government has unveiled the concourse of Melbourne’s new Town Hall Station, which sits directly underneath Melbourne’s City Square.

Set to open later this year, the station will be part of the $15.6 billion Melbourne Metro Tunnel project.

Upon opening, the project will complete an end-to-end line from Sunbury in Melbourne’s north west to Cranbourne/Pakenham in the south-east.

Its construction involves twin 9Km rail tunnels under the city along with five new stations.

The new tunnels will free up space in the existing City Loop and will enable Melbourne’s rail network to run more trains more often.

The new Town Hall Station will form a new gateway to some of Melbourne’s most popular destinations and landmarks. These include Federation Square, Birrarung Marr, Southbank, St Paul’s Cathedral and Melbourne Town Hall.

(Town Hall concourse. Image: Victoria Big Build)

Constructed at a width of 18 meters, the concourse will be an extension of Melbourne City Square above and will be used as a public gathering space in the heart of the city. It will feature new shops and cafes.

The two-tiered concourse space will be free for the public to access without touching on.

It will be accessible through the main station entrance at the northern end of City Square via five sets of escalators.

From a design perspective, the standout feature of the concourse involves eight soaring concrete and steel columns.

These branch out overhead to support the station roof, which has been installed below the heart of the CBD.

(Town Hall Concourse from top of escalators. Image: Victoria Big Build)

The station has been constructed via a complex method which used deep shafts at either side of the site.

This has avoided the need to open a large hole over an entire Swanston Street block, which would have bought a significant part of the city to a standstill.

The shafts have enabled the construction team to bring equipment and workers into and out of the site whilst Swanston Street has remained open to trams, cyclists and pedestrians.

Works are currently continuing to fit out the concourse and platforms.

(Town Hall Station entrance from City Square: Image supplied)

The Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project is being constructed for the Victorian Government by two key contracting consortiums.

The tunnels and stations are being built by the Cross Yarra Partnership, which includes John Holland, Lendlease and Bouygues.

The station entrances and high-capacity signalling are being delivered by the Rail Network Alliance. This comprises of John Holland, CPB Contractors, Alstom, AECOM, Metro Tunnel and Metro Trains.

 

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