Flinders St traffic changes for Town Hall Station works

Road users and pedestrians in Melbourne’s CBD can expect significant changes from late May as work on the Metro Tunnel Project’s Town Hall Station moves up a gear.  

From early June, vehicles travelling on St Kilda Rd towards the CBD will no longer be able to turn left into Flinders St. Vehicles can access the west of the CBD by using Kings Way, Southbank Boulevard and Russell St. 

Flinders St westbound will remain open to traffic.

The Flinders St pedestrian crossing between St Paul’s Cathedral and Federation Square will temporarily close in early June. 

This crossing will remain shut for up to 20 months, but an alternative signalised crossing will be open near Hosier Lane in late May, allowing pedestrians to cross Flinders St between Federation Square and Hosier Lane.

The traffic changes are taking place after months of planning and significant consultation with stakeholders. 

The changes improve safety at one of Melbourne’s busiest intersections for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and tram users as larger trucks enter and exit the Federation Square acoustic shed while tunnelling and excavation progresses. 

Works on the new station are ramping up with three road headers now digging deep under Swanston St to remove up to 140,000 cubic metres of rock and soil as part of Town Hall Station construction. 

Using larger trucks will more than halve the number of trucks needed, meaning fewer large vehicle movements around the City Square and Flinders Quarter construction sites alongside Swanston St. 

The traffic changes will allow trucks to use the quickest, safest and most efficient route to exit the CBD, which is to travel eastbound along Flinders St and access the M1.

Wayfinding signage will be used to guide pedestrians and drivers toward the alternative routes, and the road network will be monitored in real time to respond quickly to any incidents or congestion. 

These changes will be in place for approximately two years. Road users are encouraged to plan ahead. 

Work on the Metro Tunnel is continuing as part of the Victorian Government’s critical transport infrastructure program, with strict protocols in place to protect construction crews, consistent with the latest advice from the Chief Health Officer. 

This includes modifying construction activities to maintain physical distancing, enhanced industrial cleaning and additional hygiene measures •