HUGE DIGGER AT WORK BENEATH CBD

The Metro Tunnel Project has reached another significant construction milestone, with the launch of a massive roadheader machine that has begun creating the huge underground cavern for the new State Library Station deep beneath Melbourne’s CBD.

The 118-tonne, 15-metre long machine has been lowered in pieces almost 30 metres underground into a shaft within the A’Beckett Street acoustic shed before being re-assembled ahead of digging commencing this week. It will eventually be joined at this location by a further two roadheaders.

Roadheaders are massive excavating machines fitted with a mounted cutter head that will mine out the caverns for both Metro Tunnel CBD stations - State Library and Town Hall.  A total of six roadheaders will be used in the CBD as part of the project - three for each station.

Round-the-clock excavation continues within the Franklin St East acoustic shed, with the access shaft currently at a depth of around 30 metres. Piling is currently underway to support the excavation of access shafts at Franklin Street West and on the corner of La Trobe and Swanston streets.

You can view the latest construction information at metrotunnel.vic.gov.au .