From vision to reality: accessibility at every level.
Written by: Veronica Hernandez, Access Consultant
The Metro Tunnel Project is a $12.8 billion transformation of Melbourne’s rail network that officially opened on November 30, 2025. It includes twin 9-kilometre tunnels connecting the Sunbury, Cranbourne, and Pakenham lines, and includes five underground stations: Arden (North Melbourne), Parkville (Melbourne Biomedical Precinct), State Library (CBD), Town Hall (CBD), and Anzac (St Kilda Road)
The CYP Design & Construction (CYP D&C) team is the multidisciplinary consortium responsible for building the rail tunnels and stations. They worked with a pool of consultants in the areas of architectural & urban design, engineering design and signage & wayfinding, amongst others.
Architecture & Access was engaged in 2017 by CYP D&C to act as one of the principal Access Consultants for the project. Our involvement commenced at the earliest stages of design, ensuring that accessibility was embedded not as an afterthought but as a core design principle, and fully aligned with the project requirements and the broader legislative framework governing accessible transport infrastructure.
Early Design Involvement
Mary Younger served as the lead consultant, supported by our team of highly experienced access consultants. From the outset, the intention was for Architecture & Access to provide comprehensive accessibility advice for above‑ground and below‑ground elements. This included intermodal transport connections and integration with existing infrastructure, via underground pedestrian links connecting State Library Station to Melbourne Central Station, and Town Hall Station to Flinders Street Station.
Throughout the design lifecycle, our team undertook detailed reviews and provided expert guidance during:
- Interim design and certified design
- Construction documentation
Our scope covered three core domains:
- Architectural scope
- Civil & traffic interfaces
- Public realm design
This early and sustained involvement ensured that accessibility outcomes were not only compliant but meaningfully integrated into the user experience.
Construction Phase Support
Our on‑site advisory role commenced in 2023 and continued as the project progressed toward the opening of the main line and five stations in late 2025. Completion of the final station entrance at Federation Square is expected later this year.
During construction, our team worked closely with the delivery partners to resolve emerging issues, verify compliance, and maintain the integrity of accessibility outcomes across all built elements.
Line‑Wide Accessibility Contributions
Beyond station and precinct design, Architecture & Access also provided specialist advice on Line‑Wide (all infrastructure) elements, including:
- Signage and Wayfinding
- Luminance Contrast for materials and finishes
- TGSIs to support safe and intuitive navigation
A standout achievement of this project is the inclusion of seven Changing Places facilities, with at least one located in each station. All facilities have been successfully registered through the national certification process, supported by our accredited Changing Places Assessors.
A Landmark Project for the State
The Metro Tunnel is widely recognised as one of the most iconic transport infrastructure undertakings delivered in Victoria over the past decade. It demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusive design and adherence to all relevant access legislation, including the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.
To ensure rigour and transparency, all accessibility work undertaken by Architecture & Access was peer‑reviewed by Independent Reviewers appointed by CYP D&C.
Image 1 (Feature): Extensive Tactile Ground Indicators (TGSIs) at the platform level to assist with the orientation of people with vision impairment. The TGSIs connect the vertical transportation landings i.e. lifts, stairs and escalators, with other station landmarks, such as platform screen doors, and each help point (digital and staffed).
Image 2: Fully operational and registered Changing Places facility. These facilities are provided in each station in the unpaid concourse and operated with MLAK (key) for increased security. State Library Station and Town Hall Station have two Changing Places Facilities in each, adding four new facilities in Melbourne CBD.
