Overview
Melbourne, you asked for it (sort of), and the Victorian government are delivering it (maybe). We're getting five new train stations.
In unexpectedly great news, the state government has committed to funding the long-debated Melbourne Metro Rail project in this year's budget, which includes two new tunnels and five underground train stations. These new stations, should the project go ahead, will be located in Parkville, Arden Street, CBD North, CBD South and the Domain and create a new path into the city that doesn't rely on (but connects to) the City Loop. The idea is that it will ease congestion in the City Loop and allow more trains to be getting in and out of the city. It will hopefully help with that peak hour sardines in a carriage issue too. Here's what it will look like:
Pretty cool, huh? But as we know, a budget proposal does not a train station make; it's still yet to be seen whether the budget passes in parliament unscathed. However, things are looking promising. The Federal government has just promised to sling Victoria some funds for the project (thanks boys) and this morning Premier Daniels Andrews tweeted the first artist's impression of the Parkville station. It looks super slick (check out all those yo pros making their way in the world, bless).
Here's your exclusive first look at what the Metro Tunnel station at Parkville will look like. #springst pic.twitter.com/ZTs0D6jeGF
— Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) May 11, 2016
Notice the big sneeze guards protecting the train? Not only will they prevent winter snot getting on train windows, but are also designed to organise passenger flow and prevent accidents. All train stations will feature the guards and — the most exciting news of all — trains will apparently run every two to three minutes, potentially leaving so much more time for activities. It doesn't completely solve the Melbourne east-west transport black hole, but it would sure help.
Via The Age. Image: Global Panorama via Flickr.