Sandringham commuters will face 60 minute delays during the next 19 days as the Andrews government shuts the rail line to build the $11 billion Metro Tunnel.

Buses will replace trains from 8pm on Tuesday until June 9, as construction crews build the structure of the tunnel’s eastern entrance.

More than 160 metres of tracks, ballast and overhead signalling will be ripped up as crews excavate below the rail line to build the foundations of the new underground tunnel entrance.

Passengers wait for replacement buses at Caulfield station in April during Metro Tunnel works in South Yarra. Credit:Simon Schluter

To build the entrance, crews will construct an underground box and pour 400 cubic metres of concrete to install the roof.