The Metro Tunnel is opening on Sunday, and things are getting pretty exciting. Retailers are starting to move in, Jimmy Barnes randomly performed at City Square on the weekend, and now, the underpass at Anzac Station is open. This 120-metre-long walkway connects travellers to the Shrine of Remembrance, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Road Reserve and the Albert Park and Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix precinct. You don’t need a Myki to use the underpass, so you can check it out right now if you’re in the area.
Anzac Station underpass
This underpass was built 15 metres below the surface, and allows you to move around the precinct without having to worry crossing six lanes of traffic. There’s entrances at the edge of the Shrine and Albert Road Reserve.
There is a Path of Remembrance that runs from the station to the Shrine, and is marked by eleven bronze poppies, in reference to the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The station itself is a place of remembrance, and features artwork that honours Australia’s military history. You’ll see etched glass panels depicting the Lone Pine, Gallipoli Oak, Gallipoli Rose, Flanders Poppy and more, showcasing plants that grew where Australians fought at Gallipoli and on the Western Front.
St Kilda Road was realigned three times as part of construction for Anzac Station. At the massive entrance under the timber canopy on St Kilda Road, you’ll find Melbourne’s first train-tram interchange. It has extra-long platforms, so it can fit four trams at once.
“Every year, tens of thousands of Victorians come to the Shrine to pay their respects,” said Minister for Veterans Natalie Suleyman. “And now it’ll be even easier to travel there by train or tram, arriving safely through this important underpass.”
This isn’t the only place that you can check out ahead of the Metro Tunnel opening. The underpass at Parkville Station is also open, so you can travel underneath Royal Parade between the University of Melbourne and the medical precinct. Learn more about it here.
For more information about Anzac Station, click here.
