Tunnel · Australia

How much did Metro Tunnel cost to build?

The Metro Tunnel is Melbourne's twin 9 km rail tunnel with five new underground stations, delivered by the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority as part of the Victorian Government's Big Build, with initial works from 15 January 2017 and passenger service from 30 November 2025. ABC News reported in September 2024 that the budget blew out by AUD 837 million to a new total cost of AUD 13.48 billion, while Wikipedia says the project was built for an estimated AUD 12.8 billion.

Published project estimate

AUD 13.48 billion

Approximately $8.9 billion

Cost basis: 2024

Photo of construction site of North Melbourne station as part of a community tour day on August 4 2019.
APNOneTwoCC BY-SA 4.0

Cost evidence

Basis of the published figure

Published project estimate2024
en.wikipedia.org

Project metrics

Key dimensions

Total lengthabc.net.au
9,000 m

Project record

Timeline

  1. 15 January 2017

    Construction started

    abc.net.au

  2. 30 November 2025

    Opened or launched

    abc.net.au

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