The tunnels are set to open this year (Image: Getty)
2025 is set to be a year of massive engineering projects across . One of these is a massive infrastructure build in reportedly costing $13.48 billion (£6.8billion).
This is $837 million (£685 million) more than previously estimated, it is believed.
Melbourne’s twin will be 9km long, and run under Melbourne’s CBD suburb.
Five new underground stations are also being built – in the City of Melbourne at Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac.
The aim of the project, as with most other large-scale railway projects underway at the moment, is to provide more capacity for the city’s growing population.
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This is expected to almost double by 2066, reports.
Officials say that build is the largest transformation of Melbourne’s rail network since the City Loop opened in 1982, and extra capacity will mean that more trains can travel across the city.
The completion of the tunnels has been delayed multiple times.
In November, the opening was pushed back, with documents suggesting it could now open as late as December 31, 2025.
The project has reportedly been plagued by delays and cost blowouts, and is now nearly $4billion over budget.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Danny Pearson, said last year: “Nobody could have predicted a once-in-100 year global pandemic, nobody could have predicted conflict Gaza and in and nobody could have predicted spikes.”
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He added: “These are just the realities of what we’ve had to deal with.”
Eventually, the city’s Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines will come together through the tunnel and five stations.
In December, tunnel officials said: “We’ll keep working over the summer months as we remain on track to open 5 new stations in 2025 – the biggest upgrade to Melbourne’s rail network since the City Loop opened in the 1980’s.”They added: “Commuters and train fans will soon notice Trial Operations happening on the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines, with High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMTs) running from Hawksburn through the new twin 9-kilometre tunnels to West Footscray, using the new systems.
“The team will conduct more than 100 exercises to demonstrate the project’s complex systems and technology are working as designed. Everything is rehearsed, from opening and closing each of the five new underground stations, to major incidents so staff are prepared for every possible scenario.”