One side of Flinders Street will be closed to traffic for up to three years due to Metro Tunnel works according to the Victorian Government.

An underground connection from Flinders Street Station to the new Town Hall Station is being built as part of the Metro Tunnel project.

Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, announced the extended closure yesterday, which will enable major work to start building the new interchange under Flinders Street, between Swanston and Degraves streets.

The eastbound closure of Flinders Street will halve the number of truck movements on Swanston Street during peak construction, reducing it to around 100 trucks each day at peak construction in late 2020.

“This is a significant closure, but we need to do it – it’s the only way to build this vital underground connection between Flinders Street and the Metro Tunnel station,” said Allan.

“We know how disruptive this major construction will be so we’re doing everything we can to minimise disruptions and impacts on local residents, businesses and people visiting the city.

“This is the biggest public transport project ever built in Victoria and it will benefit Victorians every single day – and we’re getting on with it,” she said.

The footpath will remain open along Flinders Street past Degraves Street and to the Station construction site. A new pedestrian crossing will also be established to the west of Degraves Street to enable pedestrians to cross to the south side of Flinders Street and maintain access to the tram stop.

Pedestrian and vehicle access will be maintained for local businesses and residents, and loading bays will be available east of Elizabeth Street for deliveries and drop-offs. The full footpath on Flinders Street is expected to re-open to pedestrians in late 2020.

The Andrews Labor Government’s Metro Tunnel Project will create capacity for more than half a million additional passengers a week across Melbourne’s train network during peak periods.