The Metro Tunnel is a city-shaping project that will transform the way people travel across Melbourne, providing faster, more reliable and more accessible journeys. This achievement reflects the dedication and expertise of thousands of John Holland employees and partners who worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life.
The project includes twin nine-kilometre rail tunnels connecting the Sunbury line with the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, five new underground stations — Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac — and high-capacity signalling to enable turn-up-and-go services during peak times.
Delivering a project of this scale required John Holland’s end-to-end capabilities across design, construction, rail systems, transport operations and asset management. Through the Cross Yarra Partnership joint venture, John Holland delivered the tunnelling works, five underground stations, and all fit-out, mechanical and electrical systems — a complex undertaking that involved tunnelling beneath Melbourne’s CBD and constructing two stations in the heart of the city.
While the Rail Network Alliance upgraded more than 90 kilometres of existing rail infrastructure, including track, overhead wiring, station platforms, traction power, substations and stabling, as well as designing, installing and commissioning high-capacity signalling, communications and operational control systems.
Metro Trains Melbourne, which John Holland is a JV partner in, operates the train network running through the tunnel and provided technical and operational expertise, supported train testing and trial running, and prepared the network for opening. Now that Metro Tunnel is operational , John Holland will maintain the tunnels and stations under a 23-year contract through our CYP Asset Management Services team. This includes managing approximately 59,000 assets including tunnel ventilation, lifts and escalators, station finishes and artwork.
Now open to passengers, Metro Tunnel will make travel across Melbourne faster, easier and more accessible, shaping the future of the city for generations to come.
