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Town Hall railway station, Melbourne

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Town Hall railway station is a rapid transit railway station on the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines, serving the Melbourne CBD in Victoria, Australia. When opened as part of the Metro Tunnel project, Town Hall will be an underground premium station, featuring an island platform with two faces. The station will connect directly to Flinders Street via an underground concourse. Major construction commenced in April 2018, with completion in early 2025.[1]

Town Hall
Future PTV rapid transit station
Colour photograph of a large concrete structure in a built up area
An acoustic box over the Collins Street entry to Town Hall station, December 2020
General information
LocationSwanston Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
City of Melbourne
Australia
Coordinates37°48′57″S 144°58′02″E / 37.8159259°S 144.9671336°E / -37.8159259; 144.9671336
Owned byVicTrack
Operated byMetro Trains
Line(s)Sunshine–Dandenong
Platforms2
Tracks2
Connections
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
Depth28 metres (92 feet)
AccessibleYes—step free access
Other information
StatusUnder construction
Station codeTHL
Fare zoneMyki Zone 1
WebsiteTown Hall station
History
Opening2025 (scheduled)
ElectrifiedYes (1500 V DCoverhead)
Services
Preceding station Railways in Melbourne Metro Trains Following station
State Library
towards Sunbury
 Sunshine–Dandenong corridor
(under construction) 		Anzac
towards East Pakenham or Cranbourne
Track layout
Legend
to State Library
1
2
Yarra River
to Anzac

It is being built below Swanston Street between Flinders and Collins Streets and will serve local destinations including St Paul's Cathedral, Federation Square, Southbank and the Degraves Street dining precinct. It is named after the nearby Melbourne Town Hall.

History

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The Metro Tunnel project began in 2015, with early works commencing on the two central business district (CBD) station sites in 2017.[2][3] In April 2017, City Square on Swanston Street was fenced off for the commencement of construction and staging works.[4] Major station works at Town Hall began in 2018.[5]

Cross Yarra Partnership, led by Lendlease, was named as the preferred bidder for the construction contract in July 2017 and designs for the project's five stations were presented by the consortium were released publicly, as well as details of connections to existing stations and streetscapes.[6] In November 2017, after a naming competition, it was announced the CBD South station would be named Town Hall, after the nearby Melbourne Town Hall.[7] Updated designs were revealed by the government in 2018 that showed Town Hall and State Library stations would feature large platform caverns with archways, and that there would be multiple entrances.[8][9]

City Square, Port Philip Arcade on Flinders Street and several small shops along Swanston Street were demolished to allow construction of the station.[10][11][12]

In May 2020, major traffic changes were put in place near Flinders Street in order to improve safety around large trucks entering acoustic sheds as a part of the project. Left turns from St Kilda Road to Flinders Street were removed, and the pedestrian crossing between St Paul's Cathedral and Federation Square was temporarily closed.[13]

Two tunnel boring machines arrived at Town Hall station in April 2021 and were dismantled and extracted, signalling an end to tunnelling on the project.[14] Road-headers broke through at the platform tunnels of Town Hall station in August 2021 as the major excavation phase on the two CBD stations neared completion.[15] Town Hall was excavated to a depth of 33 m (108 ft) below street level, with the station platforms to sit 27 m (89 ft) below street level.[15] This followed the completion of road-header excavation of the platform caverns at State Library in 2020.[16]

In late 2022, acoustic sheds began to be dismantled at the Town Hall and Anzac station locations in order to allow construction of above-ground station structures.[17][18]

Design

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The station will feature four entrances, the main entrance being located in City Square opposite Melbourne Town Hall, the second being located off Flinders Street, connected to Cocker Alley and Scott Alley.[19] The third entrance is located within Federation Square, with the Square's information centre demolished in 2018 to construct the new entrance.[20]

The final entrance is an underground connection to nearby Flinders Street station through the already existing Campbell Arcade connection.[19] A number of changes were made to the design of the Campbell Arcade walkway to preserve the site's heritage character.[21]

Initially it was planned to build the station using the cut-and-cover method, however this was changed so that the tunnels would run deeper underneath the ground in order to not disturb services, utilities and businesses on Swanston Street.[22][23]

Like State Library station, Town Hall used a unique "trinocular" construction method involved the mining of three large, overlapping tunnels with vaulted ceilings.[24] Large arches will define the 230 metre long platforms.[25] Underneath City Square, the station's main entrance features a 14-metre high concourse space.[26] Eight columns hold up a vaulted ceiling nicknamed "the crypt", an architectural reference to the nearby St Paul's Cathedral.[26]

The station was designed by architects RSHP, Hassell and Weston Williamson.[27]

Over-site development

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Excavation for Town Hall station at the site of City Square,
February 2019

In December 2022, the developer Lendlease secured planning approval for the over-site development above the Flinders Street entrance to Town Hall.[28] The nine-story office and retail development will feature station entrances opening to Swanston Street, Flinders Street and rebuilt arcades connecting to Cocker Alley and Scott Alley.[29] The site is owned by the Victorian government and sits around the famous Young and Jackson Hotel and adjoins the Nicholas Building.[30]

Art and sculpture

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Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer was commissioned to create a permanent artwork for Town Hall as part of the Metro Tunnel's legacy artwork program.[31] In 2024, Rail Projects Victoria stated that this commission had been cancelled due to difficulties from the COVID-19 pandemic, and unlike the other stations Town Hall would not have its own artwork.[32]

A number of artworks and sculptures will be returned to the Town Hall sites once construction has finished, including the King Neptune sculpture by Melbourne artist Charles Bush.[19] The King Neptune sculpture sat above the entrance to Port Phillip Arcade on Flinders Street, which was demolished for the station.[33][19] The famous statue of ill-fated explorers Burke and Wills was removed from City Square in 2017 and is planned to return to the corner of Collins and Swanston Streets after the completion of the station.[34] The John Mockridge Fountain water wall will also be returned and relocated to the northern edge of City Square along Collins Street.[35]

Town Hall station precinct

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As part of the construction of Town Hall Station, the City Square precinct is set to be rebuilt as a public gathering and events space.[26] There will be 70 new bike parking spaces built to cope with increasing demand, as well as improved tram interchanges on Flinders, Collins, and Swanston streets.[19] A new tram connection is planned to be built as part of the Metro Tunnel, allowing trams to turn onto Flinders Street from the current tram terminus on Elizabeth Street.[36]

Station layout

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G Street level Entrances/Exits
B1M City Square Concourse Walkway
B1 City Square Concourse Retail, walkway
Federation Square Concourse Walkway
Flinders and Swanston Streets Concourse Retail, toilets, walkway
B2 City Square Concourse Retail, toilets, walkway
Federation Square Concourse Walkway
Flinders and Swanston Streets Concourse Concourse, passageway to Flinders Street station, Campbell Arcade
B3 City Square Concourse Concourse, customer service
Federation Square Concourse Walkway to platform
Flinders and Swanston Streets Concourse
B4
Platforms 		Platform 1 →  Sunshine Dandenong Line  towards Sunbury (State Library) →
Island platform, doors will open on the right
Platform 2 ←  Sunshine Dandenong Line  towards Pakenham or Cranbourne (Anzac)

[37][38]

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References

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  1. ^ "CBD stations construction plans". Metro Tunnel. Melbourne Metro Rail Authority. Archived from the original on 21 June 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  2. ^ "Work Begins On The Melbourne Metro Rail Project | Premier of Victoria". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  3. ^ Dow, Aisha; Lucas, Clay (16 January 2017). "CBD roads to be closed for years as Melbourne Metro Tunnel construction begins". The Age. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  4. ^ Preiss, Benjamin (3 April 2017). "City Square shuts down as work begins on Metro Tunnel". The Age. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  5. ^ "Station Construction Underway On The Metro Tunnel | Premier of Victoria". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  6. ^ Lillebuen, Steve (16 July 2017). "Metro Tunnel: Melbourne's changing face revealed as consortium named for $11 billion project". The Age. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  7. ^ Steve, Lillebuen; Jacks, Timna (29 November 2017). "Metro Tunnel: New train station names revealed". The Age. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  8. ^ "Sweeping archways, open spaces for Melbourne's new 'landmark' stations". ABC News. 30 May 2018. Archived from the original on 30 May 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  9. ^ Turbet, Hanna Mills (30 May 2018). "Melbourne Metro Tunnel station designs revealed". The Age. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  10. ^ "Demolition on Port Phillip Arcade signals start of major works on the new Town Hall station". Urban.com.au. 2 March 2018. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Authorities move in on Port Phillip Arcade". www.cbdnews.com.au. 1 September 2017. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  12. ^ Lucas, Clay (1 March 2017). "Artworks go, huge shed to follow, as City Square gets ready to shut in April". The Age. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  13. ^ "TRAFFIC CHANGES IN THE CBD". Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  14. ^ Build, Victoria’s Big (14 April 2021). "Tunnel boring machines Joan and Millie complete their work on the Metro Tunnel". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  15. ^ a b Build, Victoria’s Big (3 November 2021). "Town Hall Station milestone heralds final stages of excavation". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  16. ^ "State Library Station taking shape below Swanston St". www.cbdnews.com.au. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  17. ^ Build, Victoria’s Big (14 January 2022). "First acoustic shed to come down as Metro Tunnel goes next level". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  18. ^ Build, Victoria’s Big (13 July 2022). "New look for Swanston Street as tower cranes go up". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  19. ^ a b c d e Build, Victoria’s Big (1 June 2023). "Town Hall Station design and location". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  20. ^ Build, Victoria’s Big (21 July 2022). "Federation Square". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  21. ^ Heritage (15 May 2023). "Change is afoot at Campbell Arcade". Heritage. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  22. ^ Willingham, Richard; Carey, Adam (21 October 2015). "Melbourne Metro rail: Tunnels to go deeper underground to keep trams running". The Age. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  23. ^ Carey, Adam (5 November 2015). "Melbourne Metro to close busy city streets for up to three years, including Domain Road". The Age. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  24. ^ Build, Victoria’s Big (3 March 2022). "Exploring State Library Station's trinocular design". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  25. ^ "Town Hall Station shaping as a new city landmark". www.cbdnews.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 March 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  26. ^ a b c Build, Victoria’s Big (11 May 2023). "Work on Town Hall Station powers ahead under City Square". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  27. ^ "Updated Melbourne Metro Tunnel station design unveiled". Architecture Australia. 10 August 2021. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  28. ^ Nicholson, Marisa Wikramanayake,Ralph (7 December 2022). "Lendlease Wins Approval for Melbourne Metro Tower". The Urban Developer. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ Nicholson, Marisa Wikramanayake,Ralph (7 December 2022). "Lendlease Wins Approval for Melbourne Metro Tower". The Urban Developer. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ "Council endorses tower above a future Metro station at famous intersection". www.cbdnews.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  31. ^ Build, Victoria’s Big (31 May 2023). "Rafael Lozano-Hemmer – Town Hall Station". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  32. ^ Build, Victoria’s Big (5 February 2024). "Station artworks FAQ". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  33. ^ "24-hour construction starting in CBD". www.cbdnews.com.au. 8 April 2018. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  34. ^ "Melbourne's oldest public statue removed from display". ABC News. 9 April 2017. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  35. ^ "CBD South Precinct Development Plan" (PDF). Metro Tunnel Authority: Cross Yarra Partnership. 3 August 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  36. ^ "Metro Tunnel To Transform Melbourne's Tram Network | Premier of Victoria". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  37. ^ "Network Development Plan" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 December 2021.
  38. ^ "CBD South Precinct Development Plan Appendix B: Architectural Plans" (PDF). Big Build Victoria. Rail Projects Victoria. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
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